Besides alcohol, marijuana is the most used illicit drug today, both amongst adults and teens.
Since 2012 in the United States, marijuana has been growing in popularity and becoming legalized in several states.
Florida allows medical marijuana, but not for recreational use. There was speculation that legalization would be on the ballot in 2020, but that has been pushed back, and won’t be the case despite many advocates.
Despite not being legalized in Florida, there are growing trends with the drug that affects our society.
Read on to find out the growing trends with Florida and marijuana, as well as how you can get help for substance abuse addiction.
Growing Trends with Florida and Marijuana
While there is a movement to get marijuana legalized in Florida, there have been many critics. One is a Harvard professor who warned Florida House members of the dangers of marijuana:
“It will take years and one or two generations to fully comprehend the consequences. It took our nation more than 20 years to raise alarm bells around the opioid issue.”—Harvard Medical School psychobiologist Bertha Madras
A representative in Florida suggests to monitor Colorado and see how they “have dealt with recreational marijuana.” That way, they can implement something that is “thoughtful and pragmatic, if they’re willing to.”
Despite this ongoing battle, marijuana is already the hottest trend in Florida, notably thanks to vaping and cannabinoid products. Also, the Patterns and Trends of Substance Abuse report suggests the legalization of medical marijuana also led to the increase.
“Though adult Floridians lag just behind the nation with regard to the prevalence of current use of marijuana, increases in Florida appeared to begin accelerating in 2016-2017, perhaps in response to legislation passed in 2016 and enacted in 2017 that legalized marijuana for medical use in the state. Examination of state-specific data, once released, will be essential to track the Florida experience and compare it to that of the nation as a whole.”
In the 2018 Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Annual Report, cannabinoid was the fourth-highest frequent occurrence in death.
Source: 2018 Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Annual Report
The report also states (for 2018):
“Occurrences of synthetic cannabinoids increased by 25 percent (19 more) and deaths caused by synthetic cannabinoids increased by 25 percent (17 more). The increase in synthetic cannabinoid occurrences is due, in part, to increased testing. The majority of the synthetic cannabinoids reported were 5F-ADB.”
Synthetic cannabinoid is more dangerous than naturally occurring cannabinoids, which follows the trend of synthetic drugs entering the market place, posing a risk to the public. Synthetic opioids, for instance, such as fentanyl, is the most deadly substance that causes the most deaths.
Another trend regarding Florida and marijuana is the rise of pregnant women using marijuana.
According to the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA):
“In Florida, the rise in marijuana use is markedly outpacing the national average. Following a period of little change with rates fluctuating up and down between 2.1% and 5.2%, the percentage of pregnant women reporting use in the past 30 days has increased sharply to nearly 15%.”
It’s a growing trend overall in the U.S.:
“Increases among pregnant women, specifically, are also occurring, likely due, at least in part, to perceptions of safety and effectiveness for treatment of nausea associated with pregnancy. The prevalence of current use has exceeded 5% nationally in recent years, and this is likely an underestimate due to under-reporting.”
Below shows a chart of “self-reported marijuana use among pregnant women, US and Florida, 2002-03 – 2017-18.”
Source: Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA)
The dangers of using marijuana during pregnancy have not been heavily researched, but according to FADAA, “there is evidence to suggest that marijuana use may increase the risk of stillbirth and is associated with neurodevelopmental deficits in the infant.”
Conclusion
There will be an ongoing battle between Florida and marijuana, as many fights to legalize it, while others are hesitant.
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse addiction, or any other drug addiction, seek professional help now.
Contact On Call Treatment FL, a South Florida drug rehab—available 24 Hours, 7 days a week, call us NOW 1-(855)-492-1515.