U.S. citizens using medical marijuana between 2013 and 2020 grew at an average annual rate of 12.9 percent. These results were revealed following a recent federal Department of Veterans Affairs study. This continued nationwide increase in medical marijuana use and use of medical marijuana for veterans will likely be higher in 2023, with many hesitant individuals not providing truthful information when participating in these research and studies.
The study revealed, “The prevalence of U.S. residents using cannabis for medical purposes increased significantly from 1.2% in 2013-2014 to 2.5% in 2019-2020, with an AAPC of 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.4-15.5%).”
Other reasons for this hike involve pushing state-level legalization, nationwide awareness of the benefits of medical marijuana, and the emergence of new medical marijuana purposes.
10 Years Of Data Collection Sees Numbers Double
Since 1971, The National Survey on Drug Use and Health has collected data on medical marijuana use. Data collection has been led by Greg Rhee and Robert Rosenheck, who are both affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) New England Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center and the Yale School of Medicine’s psychiatry department.
In 2013, questions about doctor recommendations on medical marijuana were asked. It was found that in 2013, 1.2% of respondents confirmed active medical marijuana use. In 2020, the same study revealed that this percentage rose to 2.5%.
Variables Influencing The Increase In Medical Marijuana Use
According to the data collection, individuals using medical marijuana were aged between 10 to 25, were primarily male, had never married, had completed some college education, and were uninsured.
While the latter does not mean this group is more likely to have used medical cannabis, it does mean that this specific group’s trends over the seven years were the most statistically significant compared to other survey years.
Apart from the above group, according to the survey, what is interesting is that the prevalence of marijuana use is high among uninsured people; however, the growth of these numbers over the seven years was the slowest compared to other survey groups.
Another notable variable influencing higher use numbers was transitioning from state-level regulation to medical-only legalization laws. This subsequently broadened adult-use legalization and, with this, affected medical marijuana use nationwide.
Those With Medical Conditions Are At Greater Odds Of Using Cannabis
Individuals with medical conditions, and those suffering from wounds and traumas of war, were also analyzed in the data collection study. According to the study results, clinically relevant subgroups with greater odds of medical cannabis use included those with cocaine use disorder, previous major depressive episodes, poorer self-rated health statuses, and those with high use of non-prescription pain relievers.
These individuals were either prescribed medical marijuana for those conditions and disorders, or their patient initiative inspired the use of medical marijuana to aid in solving these health problems.
Frequent Use Is Encouraging, But Further Studies On Marijuana Effects Is Still Required
While the study points out poignant insight, it shows a lack of health data on the benefits and risks of medical marijuana use. With a lack of conclusive data, more research is required to understand long-term medical harms, safety risks, effectiveness, and benefits.
Along with more research, it would be encouraging to see more studies conducted over the 39 states where medical marijuana is legal. With more studies into temporal trends and greater awareness of how these trends correlate with medical purposes, more helpful information can be used to help broaden awareness and knowledge.
Marijuana Use By Teens Hits A Record Low
Even though marijuana use has doubled in the U.S., recent federal data has shown a decrease, an all-time record low since 2011 for teens who have lessened their marijuana use considerably. This, too, was reported in the study.
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