Is Marijuana a Global Addiction?

A recent U.N. report on drug use revealed that cannabis is the world’s most widely consumed drug, indicating a possible global addiction may be culminating. Marijuana is produced or consumed in some fashion in most countries today. The World Health Organization reports About 147 million people, 2.5% of the world population, consume cannabis annually, compared with 0.2% consuming cocaine and 0.2% consuming opiates.

In 2010, marijuana use was most prevalent in Australia and New Zealand; the U.S. and Canada came in second, followed by Spain, France, Italy and the Czech Republic third, and Nigeria, Zambia, and Madagascar were tied for fourth). With the legalization of marijuana in some countries, and across some states in the US, many people are being conditioned by arguments that the drug is basically harmless. The potential risk of cannabis use may not be demonstrated by overt or sudden seizures and overdose, but marijuana dependency controls and impairs its users, like any substance of abuse, procuring it and smoking it will become the most important aspect of life.

Studies have found marijuana interferes with attention, motivation, memory, and learning. Statistically, students who use marijuana regularly receive lower grades, are more likely to drop out of school, and will show an overall IQ drop of up to 8 points. Generally people who use marijuana regularly report lower satisfaction with their life, are more likely to earn a lower income and more likely to be unemployed.

The global addiction trend shows 5.7 million persons aged 12 or older living in major cities used marijuana on a daily or almost daily basis in the past 12 months. However accessible and available marijuana continues to be, it can’t adequately substitute the benefits found in living a life free of addiction, discovering the potential to contribute to the world in a positive and dynamic way.

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