R.I. No. 1 in monthly marijuana use, federal data says

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked No. 1 in the country for the highest percentage of monthly marijuana users, according to federal data.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health said that 14 percent of Rhode Islanders age 12 and older reported having used marijuana in the past month during the 2012 and 2013 survey period, compared with 13 percent during the 2011 and 2012 survey period. Results are the average of estimates collected in 2012 and 2013.

The results are interesting in that the Ocean State only has legalized marijuana for medical use, joining the ranks of 22 other states and the District of Columbia. The No. 2 state, Colorado, legalized marijuana in late 2012, allowing people 21 and older to use and possess marijuana in the state. Colorado had 12.7 percent of residents ages 12 and older reporting monthly marijuana use.

Other New England states reported monthly marijuana use as follows:

- Advertisement -

Connecticut, 8.95 percent; Massachusetts, 9.9 percent; Maine, 9.95 percent; New Hampshire, 9.79 percent and Vermont, 11.76 percent.

However, in the category of marijuana use in the past year, the District of Columbia took the No. 1 spot, with 21 percent of residents 12 and older reporting having used the drug in the past year, compared with 20.2 percent of Rhode Islanders, putting the Ocean State No. 2 on the list.

Media reports have said that “Regulate Rhode Island” will approach the General Assembly in 2015 so that the Ocean State can become the fifth state in the nation to legalize marijuana. In addition to Colorado, recreational marijuana use also has been approved in Washington, Alaska and Oregon.

In Massachusetts, possession of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized. In addition, the Bay State has legalized the drug for medical use.

No posts to display