Teens Toking Marijuana on the Rise: Days of Prohibition Are Numbered

[signalmankenneth]

MARK KARLIN, FOR TRUTHOUT

Despite the vast lobbying force arrayed against the legalization of marijuana (as detailed in an article posted on Truthout.org), the days of wasting resources arresting and imprisoning pot smokers are numbered.

That's because, with each new generation, America has a higher and higher percentage of citizens who have smoked or who are smoking marijuana. It's just a matter of time and numbers.

According to a report featured on The Partnership at Drug Free website, a new "Survey Finds Marijuana Use on the Rise Among Teens." In short, teenage marijuana use is once again experiencing a surge:

Nearly one in 10 teenagers are smoking marijuana at least 20 or more times a month, a new survey finds. The Associated Press reports that the survey, released Wednesday by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, found past-month use of marijuana rose from 19 percent in 2008, to 27 percent last year.

The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study found past-year use of marijuana rose from 31 percent in 2008, to 39 percent (six million teens) in 2011. The survey found lifetime use increased from 39 percent in 2008, to 47 percent (eight million teens) in 2011. The last time marijuana use was this widespread among teens was in 1998, when past month use of marijuana was at 27 percent....

The survey suggests teen marijuana use has become a normalized behavior. Only 26 percent agree with the statement, "In my school, most teens don't smoke marijuana," down from 37 percent in 2008. Also, 71 percent of teens say they have friends who use marijuana regularly, up from 64 percent in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration is cracking down on medical marijuana dispensaries in states that allow them and conducting a ruinous war on drugs in Mexico, Central and South America, much of it trafficking in marijuna.

BuzzFlash at Truthout has long pointed out that it is a bit hypocritical to be a nation with an excessive appetite for alcohol, tobacco and prescription narcotics -- which can have deadly consequences and cause illness and disease -- but classify marijuana and some other illegal drugs as virtually satanic.

Despite America's puritanical streak, you don't have to scratch too deep to find out that vast numbers of even holy rollers have a "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" attitude toward stimulants.

As with gay marriage -- when the numbers of Americans with gay members in their families or who have friends who are gay reached the tipping point -- the gates started to slowly open. The same will hopefully be true for redirecting our drug policy from gross and destructive hypocrisy into pragmatic acceptance.

Because when you deduct Americans who are addicted to or partake of alcohol, cigarettes, addictive prescription drugs, marijuana, cocaine, coffee, etc., you end up with a couple of Mormons - and that's not enough of a population for a country to function.

Until then, as a government, we will just be riding down the river of denial.

[SmarterthanYou]

how do these 'teens' plan on doing anything about it when they are felons by voting age?

[Minister of Truth]

Wow, I can't believe this is a Ken thread. Anyway, I don't think teen use really matters much. On the one hand its long been assumed that prohibition will end as time goes by. On the other hand, many of these teens are going to grow up, stop using pot, and stop caring much about pot. In other words, they will become like most American adults from 18-30, and be apathetic, with a tendency to not vote.

Anyway, all I can say is vote Gary Johnson.

[Rune]

Wow, I can't believe this is a Ken thread. Anyway, I don't think teen use really matters much. On the one hand its long been assumed that prohibition will end as time goes by. On the other hand, many of these teens are going to grow up, stop using pot, and stop caring much about pot. In other words, they will become like most American adults from 18-30, and be apathetic, with a tendency to not vote.

Anyway, all I can say is vote Gary Johnson.

Yes, it should be ending. The problem is the artificial resistance by those who profit from the ongoing war on drugs.
Ken's point, which you ignored is that as time passes more people have tried pot and know that it is not a gateway drug, nor is it in the class of dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth or LSD and shouldn't be treated the same.

[Minister of Truth]

Not really, those facts haven't made pot legal up to this point. An accompanying question will be whether the government has any business banning pot. I don't think it's any accident here in WA that the initiative to legalize pot finally made the ballot for this next election cycle the year after voters determined that the state has no place running the liquor industry.

[Cancel 2018. 3]

reefer is evil!!! you pot smokers can go to hell!

[signalmankenneth]

reefer is evil!!! you pot smokers can go to hell!

This joint for you Yurt!

[Minister of Truth]

They need to do a "remake" of Reefer Madness, as an over-the-top, ultra-violent black comedy. They could have a bunch of charming, stoner kids getting persued by DEA thugs in black (or dark brown) jumpsuits armed to the teeth. In the middle of the action, you could have some adorable young couple that survives the film, and floats away at the end in some sort of trippy dream sequence. That would be an awesome film - where's Seth Rogen at?