Over the last decades, both licit and illicit drugs have become an integral part of the lifestyle for the vast majority of Americans. The most popular excuse among drug consumers is the instrumental use of the drug. However, quite frequently, such a consumption serves as a person’s unwillingness to accept the issue of drug dependence. The most widespread drug across the US in terms of prices and availability is marijuana, which is mostly used for recreational purposes and is supposed to help people drift away from reality (Levinthal, 2014). The main issue behind marijuana consumption is the fact that despite all the negative implications it might have, people still consider it to be harmless and encourage its spreading among US residents. Moreover, according to the statistics, 56% of the US population agreed that total marijuana legalization would benefit the country’s economy and create more workplaces (“Marijuana statistics 2020, usage, trends and data,” 2020). Indisputably, such a tolerant attitude towards the drug consequently encourages the younger generation to try marijuana.
Although adults in the US constitute the majority of marijuana consumers, the number of teenagers affected by the drug is steadily increasing every year. According to the latest data, 51% of youngsters aged 18 to 25 consume marijuana on a regular basis (“Marijuana,” 2020). Considering the statistics, it is obvious that marijuana has become one of the major trends among college students. As long as the drug influence is undermined, the number of college students willing to experience the marijuana effects will be increasing. The only way to keep young people safe in such a situation would be to openly discuss the issue with them and warn them about the possible drawbacks, leaving them the right to choose.
References
Levinthal, C.F. (2014). Drugs, Behavior and Modern Society. London, UK: Pearson Education.
Marijuana statistics 2020, usage, trends and data. (2020). Web.
Marijuana. (2020). Web.