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Marijuana

Brief Description

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Extracts with high amounts of THC can also be made from the cannabis plant. Learn more about marijuana

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Statistics and Trends

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Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Marijuana/ Hashish for 8th Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2016 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders
Marijuana/ Hashish Lifetime [12.80] 29.70 44.50
Past Year [9.40] 23.90 35.60
Past Month [5.40] 14.00 22.50
Daily [0.70] 2.50 6.00

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous MTF Data

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National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Trends in Prevalence of Marijuana/ Hashish for Ages 12 or Older, Ages 12 to 17, Ages 18 to 25, and Ages 26 or Older; 2015 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period Ages 12 or Older Ages 12 to 17 Ages 18 to 25 Ages 26 or Older
Marijuana/ Hashish Lifetime 44.00 15.70 52.70 46.00
Past Year 13.50 12.60 32.20 10.40
Past Month 8.30 7.00 19.80 6.50

^ indicate low precision; no estimate reported.
Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous NSDUH Data

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Published April 2001. Revised May 2015. Presented in question-and-answer format and targeted to teens, provides facts about marijuana and its potential harmful effects. En Español

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This page was last updated February 2016

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Marijuana and Cannabinoids: A Neuroscience Research Summit

Brain March 22-23, 2016
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