Percentage Of Pot Smokers In The USA

MM, I would agree with the heavy pot smoking usually winding up being a bad thing. Young people that have not had to do anything yet usually wind up slow starters as they try to transition into the world at large. The percentage of heavy smokers may be in the low percentage. I have seen enough of the "bad" side of drug use to know that it exists, but I would say that overall the percentage of the pop that fits the "bad" type is very low.

I am thinking though of the person who smokes at a party or with a friend occasionally. Doing it once a month or so, well, they are still smokers in my book. More then 1% of the people I know do that and I do not hang out in "smoker circles". I know at least 10 people right off the top of my head who smoke infrequently, but that is still use. I know only a couple that smoke every day, though they are still productive with lucrative employ.

The numbers from the DOJ research has the number of Americans who have tried it at over 50%, some studies cite 60%+. 1% for the problematic, chronic and troubled smokers...yes, that seems about right. 1% of the population total? It is America's top cash crop. 1% of the population...can't see that.

medicineman said:

A few people have called me out on my 1 percent evaluation of pot smokers in America. Well According to "Facts and Myths", the following applies:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/

Fact: Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.

I smoked for more than 30 years, daily basis, about 1-2 OZs a week. I thought I was pretty normal and pot was not a problem. Turns out I was wrong. Pot was having an influence on my thinking, 24-7. I know not if my life would have been any different, but nonetheless, it did have an influence on me. For one thing, one of the most important things in my life was pot, did I have enough, would I run out, where could I get more, was I going to get busted, in fact I did get busted in a 30lb transaction (Sale). That was a bad day. I skated with 15 days and a 1,000 dollar fine and 2 years probation, now days, it would be much harsher. You all can live in that state of denial if you choose, but think about it, what is really important in your lives? Is pot the #1 importance in your lives?

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medicineman said:

That's OK. Just accept the fact that you're in the 1% minority, a very vocal minority at that. Ever wonder why the politicians don't take you guys seriously, 1% don't elections win.

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Nice post MedMan.

I've referred to myself as a functional pothead for longer than I can remember and I've had the realization you share in your post.

I'm past that now and would be a legit med user so I'm proud to say I have no problem being a member of the "1% green" club.

ilkhan said:

If that $113 billion number is to be believed and only 1% was doing the smoking they would be spending in excese of $30,000 a year on pot each on average. At $1,000 dollars an ounce that would be 7 million pounds 3500 tonnes of pot. No lots of people partake it isn't no 1%. only 1% stay lit every day all day, day after day.

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I haven't checked medmans numbers but I do know from studying the health survey reports for a couple of years along with other studies that the feds have a tendency to over/under state numbers in their findings. They claim pot to be something like a 10B a year business but I've looked over both reports at length and the 113B has to be closer to the real number each year. I'm sure it was accurate for when it was done.

1% may be correct for chronic users but keep in mind 20% every year admit to being regular users. It's been as high as 25% reporting regular casual pot smoking. That is a lot of Americans. Something like 90% each year admit to having tried pot.

Check the public health surveys. Check the numbers some of the fed sites claim against the drug use charts they have and do so thinking about how those numbers really relate to each other and you'll see what I mean. The feds numbers rarely add up anymore.

At times the notes on the survey itself make incorrect conclusions because they don't account for overlap in the tables.

It's new math. (or french, if you get that joke)

The way I figure it,
I would say about 10-15% smoke 1-2 times a month or more.
Thats 30-45 million people.

BTW 15 percent is about the number of uninsured motorists on the road.
15% of Americans that don't file their taxes.
15% is probably a solid number of people who smoke weed.

Yes every one of those 15% are treated as criminals.
Their lives could be messed up substatualy if cought,
With a joint.

medicineman said:

A few people have called me out on my 1 percent evaluation of pot smokers in America. Well According to "Facts and Myths", the following applies:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/

Fact: Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.

I smoked for more than 30 years, daily basis, about 1-2 OZs a week. I thought I was pretty normal and pot was not a problem. Turns out I was wrong. Pot was having an influence on my thinking, 24-7. I know not if my life would have been any different, but nonetheless, it did have an influence on me. For one thing, one of the most important things in my life was pot, did I have enough, would I run out, where could I get more, was I going to get busted, in fact I did get busted in a 30lb transaction (Sale). That was a bad day. I skated with 15 days and a 1,000 dollar fine and 2 years probation, now days, it would be much harsher. You all can live in that state of denial if you choose, but think about it, what is really important in your lives? Is pot the #1 importance in your lives?

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No pot is not the most important thing in my life. Having the freedom to run my life is.

Hey, Med ...

If you were smoking up to two ounces per week, its no wonder your thinking was affected. That's a LOT of pot ... like a half pound a month, or six pounds per year!

Now that I think about it, your posts are understandable now.

Vi

That is all survey data.


I would wager that more than 1% of pot smokers would not answer random questions about their pot use.

I love to smoke.

what... huh? said:

That is all survey data.


I would wager that more than 1% of pot smokers would not answer random questions about their pot use.

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I agree and you add that to the fucked up numbers the feds add up and you have to conclude that those numbers are low.

ilkhan said:

I like pot

1% on a regular basis good for them what about the irregular basis people. that is a better number. People who use on and off are regular people who should not be made to feel they are criminals for doing something that hurts no one.

Although, You bring up a good point if its the axis of your life their may be something wrong. But if it enhances your life and your enjoyment of it great. I love how it makes me feel, I laugh and joke I smile and have fun things just arn't so damn serious all the time.

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Personally, I think the 1% is a load of crap. Statistics can say whatever the hell they want. You dig through stats deep enough and you can make them say whatever truth you want to believe.

I was in Australia last year, and there is an estimated 22% of adult males that smoke it "on a regular" and in New Zealand it was 38%, so America is only 1% BAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, and what is regular basis, daily, weekly, twice a week, twice a month? That's all regular usage if it regularly happens right?

Also, I cannot imagine someone getting caught with 30 POUNDS, and not getting a felony, and doing serious time. You either sold someone out, or wore out some knee pads to get 15 days and a fine!

Whether 1% or 45% or w/e.
take the way dealers get it from growers. sell it to everyone that smokes...

take the fact the gonj can be sold in packs of Js or Rillos etc.

and dont forget the ppl who dont smoke alot, bc they fear the legal.

who says that we cant sell it by having the govrn. take 5-10% of money made off selling nation wide, and saving that money specifically into the National Bank. we would be outtah trillions in no time. on top of the small percentage they save into the bank anyways.


you know what the problem is. stoners are not making the profitable equations for economy. and maybe we need to.

who the fuck cares how many smoke.
they wont legalize it to ppl who just want it. we needs age laws and prohibitions. you know this. i know this. now smoke a fucking J. and ignore what the governments doing. or should do, etc.


we think this over. make our ways. and make national petition. fuck asking for assembly in front of the white house.


Hold signs to intrigue them. force day by day to propose this act. make any alterations on them that seem reasonable. and we can make this happen alot faster.


if anything. for the safer note of the fact smoking too much can eventually deplete brain use.
maybe that percentage that smoke once in a great moon, might help us.

find doctors and lawyers and possible nice cops.
dont be a dick about thing, and dont have fear.

its easier then it is.
and if it dont take a rocket scientist to figure it out. a creative smoker can.

Dharmabummed said:

"less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis."


$130 billion divided by $5,000 (a very rough guesstimate for "expensive" weed)= 260 million pounds.

Divided by 1% (three milli) of the pop.?=

86.7 pounds a year for every "pot head"? That's funny.

(I'm guessing moderation's the new thing.)

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i smoke at least 87 pounds a year.. get your facts straight before you rant about how oppresive and addicting cannabis is.. "good things should come in moderation"

medicineman said:

That's OK. Just accept the fact that you're in the 1% minority, a very vocal minority at that. Ever wonder why the politicians don't take you guys seriously, 1% don't elections win.

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Actually its 1/40th of the voting public. If you added in everyone who has used MJ in the last 3 years your looking at over 30% of the voting public, which is significant.

I dont see the harm in using cannabis daily, we cant talk about this in such a black and white manner, theres a big difference between people who may smoke one joint or some bowls nearly everyday at some point, and those who want to do nothing but smoke weed..all day. And others have mentioned that it is indeed the largest cash crop in the US, more than wheat and corn combined...so what about the people who choose to have a career involved in marijuana?whether it be the medicinal marijuana business, or caretaking, or budtending, or cultivation, or teaching cultivation etc, it may be the most important things in their lives but its not a bad thing...
and yes cannabis can definitely have an effect on your thinking, if your smoking absurd amounts...like 1-2 oz a week.
Iv'e basically used cannabis for the last couple years almost daily, but there are times when I simply dont have any, and dont want to spend money on it, and I go about my day not even thinking about it.
It all depends on the individual, and the circumstances.

I just want to state for all you geniuses clinging to the one percent fact. Marijuana is to date illegal and the people who use it are scared of prosecution and thus won't admit to being users let alone regular users. Your surveys can say whatever they like. I know that in real life out of all the people I know it is much higher than 1 % of them that smoke or have smoked pot. There would have to be more than 1% in order for the proposed bill for legalization of medical marijuana which passed in California as well. Besides the last time I checked this was a free country and we are allowed to do whatever we choose as long as it doesn't harm anyone or the country in any way. So, if I decide to sit in my living room smoke a joint watch a movie and eat a cheese burger that is my right and freedom. If you don't like it good for you. You are welcome to your opinion I don't judge you for it. The Lord says he is the only one who can judge us. I'm just saying don't hate me because I like to smoke a joint after work to relax. I don't force you to smoke only to allow me the freedom to do so.

Thanks for replying to the 15 month old thread. Besides everyone knows the statistics come from the government and therefore are VERY suspect.

USA - 12.6% England - 8.7% Netherlands - 6.1% Canada - 16.8% of their population are pot smokers. Wow Canada smokes a lot of pot.

A different accounting, but I can still find the 1% figure:

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_percentage_of_people_smoke_marijuana_in_the_us#ixzz17TmeJKdK

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"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." -Sir Charles Dilke

1 in 50 colorado residents have there mmj card.. fuck yea. I just heard it this morning on the news.. way to go co

Getting statistics from calling people and asking them if they've ever used an illicit drug is not going to give you a very honest survey, so I don't know about your numbers. But then again I don't know how your numbers have been obtained. But I did find a link on Cannabis use and the brain.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/highdose-cannabis-stimulates-growth-of-brain-cells-in-rats-510869.html