Younger Age of Initiation to Marijuana Use Linked with Higher Rates of Disorder in NIH Study

(Addiction Professional, March 30) The younger someone starts using marijuana, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder, according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics. 

The findings were based on data in the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health from 2015-2018. 

According to the survey, 20% of young people who started using weed between the ages of 12 and 17 developed a substance use disorder after 36 months. In comparison, approximately 11% of young adults between 18-25 developed a disorder during that same time period. 

“Our results underscore the vulnerability of adolescents to SUDs and the importance of screening for substance misuse among adolescents,” the researchers wrote. Read more.