Study: New Information on Adult Medical Marijuana Use

A study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that “more than 21 percent of medical marijuana users reside in states that have not legalized its use,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA; 2016). 

The study also reported that only 1 percent of marijuana users use it “based on a clinical recommendation” compared to the 12 percent who use it for “recreational purposes” (NIDA, 2016). This could be a result of physicians suggesting the use of medical marijuana in states where it has not been legalized. Furthermore, according to NIDA, the study “. . . suggests that those who report they used medical marijuana tend to be in worse health, and were more likely to report anxiety issues, a stroke diagnosis or other disabilities” (2016). 

These data were collected from NIDA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and the approximately 100,000 American adults who participated in the survey. 

To view the JAMA article, click here.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2016). New analysis highlights patterns of adult medical marijuana use. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2016/12/new-analysis-highlights-patterns-adult-medical-marijuana-use