MORE ADULTS USING MARIJUANA

Habitual marijuana use increased among U.S. adults over the past
decade, particularly among young minorities and baby boomers,
government figures show.

The prevalence of marijuana abuse or dependence climbed from 1.2
percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02, or an
estimated 3 million adults 18 and over.

That represents an increase of 800,000 people, according to data from
two nationally representative surveys that each queried more than
40,000 adults.

Among 18- to 29-year-olds, the rate or abuse or dependence remained
stable among whites but surged by about 220 percent among black men
and women, to 4.5 percent of that population, and by almost 150
percent among Hispanic men, to 4.7 percent.

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent, to
about 0.4 percent of that population.

The report, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical
Association, was led by Dr. Wilson Compton of the National Institute
on Drug Abuse, who said the rise in dependence was probably due at
least partly to increases in the potency of pot over the past decade.

Also, the figures may indicate that baby boomers "bring their bad
habits with them into old age," he said.

The researchers said adults were considered marijuana abusers if
repeated use of the drug hurt their ability to function at work, in
school or in social situations, or created drug-related legal problems.

Drug users were considered dependent if they experienced increased
tolerance of marijuana, used it compulsively and continued using it
despite drug-related physical or psychological problems.

Overall use of the drug - that is, casual use and habitual use -
remained stable at around 4 percent of adults.

"This study suggests that we need to develop ways to monitor the
continued rise in marijuana abuse and dependence and strengthen
existing prevention and intervention efforts," said Dr. Nora Volkow,
the institute's director. Programs that target young black and
Hispanic adults are particularly needed, she said.

Increases in dependence among young minorities may reflect their
growing assimilation into sectors of white society where marijuana use
is more accepted, Compton said.

Researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism contributed to the report.