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Buzzby

Oregon Marijuana Use Among Highest In U.S.
Business Journal of Portland | 04/06/2006

Oregon and seven other states were ranked in the top fifth nationally in 2003-2004 marijuana use in three age groups, according to a new state-by-state report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The State Estimates of Substance Use report from the 2003-2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, issued Thursday, estimates state rates of use of illegal drugs, binge and underage drinking, serious mental illness and tobacco use.

Mississippi and Utah had the lowest rate of marijuana use (4.2 percent) in 2003-2004 for population ages 12 and older, while Alaska had the highest rate (9.9 percent). Eight states were ranked in the top fifth nationally for marijuana use in all three age groups, 12 to 17, 18 to 25, and 26 and older. These states are Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The report is available on the Web at www.oas.samhsa.gov.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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reggie_the_dog

perhaps people in these states just feel less afraid to ADMIT they smoke cannabis.

Mississippi and Utah are pretty conservative places,

whereas Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont are pretty liberal or libertarian places.

In Alaska its legal to use cannabis at home if you are an adult, it is decriminalized in Oregon and Maine so speeking up is less riskly than in Utah, the motto of New Hampshire is "Live Free or Die" and they, like Vermont tend to be quite libertarian (the New England version of libertarian anyway), New Mexico had a libertarian Republican governor (libertarian in that he advocated legalizing all drugs), Rhode Island and Massachusettes have their more liberal leaning version of libertarianism, so perhaps folks do not feel they need to hide their cannabis use as much there as in other places.

BillieBudd

Figures like these give lie to the notion of a drug soaked populace..I wonder how many of the other 91% of Alaskan citizens would use if it were totally legalized?? Probably not too many, I would reckon...same for here in Maine...

Pskitzo

I don't mean to pick, but New Mexico is a pretty red state bud.

reggie_the_dog

its not a red or a blue thing, its a libertarian thing, Colorado is a "red" state, as is Nebraska, but cannabis possession of less than 28 grams wont get you more than 100 dollars in fines in those states, Alaska is a "red" state and cannabis can be legally grown and consumed by all adults.

Republican Governor Johnson advocated drug legalization in New Mexico 6 or 8 years ago, so the debate has been opened recently in that state. He even admitted past cannabis and cocaine use too, so if the governor could admit it, perhaps others feel comfortable doing so;

 

Pskitzo

Good point. I was just saying that alot of the people there are pretty conservative republicans. I go to New Mexico twice a year to see my dad...who is an ex-pothead turned conservative. I still love him though, even if he did vote for one of the worst presidents in history.

Buzzby

Real Conservatives (as opposed to the Neo-Con Christian Right) believe that the government should mind its own business unless there is a pressing need for intervention. Take a look at William F. Buckley's and Barry Goldwater's views on marijuana.

Larz

40% of 18-25 year olds (past year). I'm proud of that one!

New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont have recently been named in the top five of the country's safest and healthiest states too.

The brady campaign gives all three a D- when it comes to gun control as well.

So much for that drugs and guns means danger theory, huh?

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DrGreen

All these stats but how were they complied. California courts are no longer sending all minors to drug treatment for possession crimes. Notice you never see how many people lost their life because they were wearing a seat belt....anyone ever wonder why?

Dr Green

Pskitzo

Maybe I'm just used to southern republicans. You know, the radical Christian types who impose their beliefs on anyone and everyone and interpret the Bible as a completely accurate historical document. It's so funny when you mention something that might contradict the Bible's text down here. It's hard being agnostic in the south.

Marijuana myths are fact around these parts, and with Jesus backing them up I just don't see decriminalization/legalization happening any time soon.