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Q:
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Why do more than 900,000 teenagers sell drugs1 but not
alcohol or cigarettes?
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A:
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Because alcohol and tobacco are regulated and sold through stores.
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According to the federally funded Monitoring the Future Survey,
"Marijuana has been almost universally available to American high school
seniors over at least the past 28 years."2
Since 1972 marijuana use by teenagers has increased from 14%3 to today
where 16% of 8th graders and 45% of 12th graders have tried pot.4 In
contrast, daily cigarette use by high school seniors has declined from 27%
in 19755 to 16% in 2004!6
Credible education — as opposed to exaggerated claims — actually
works! Prohibition makes things worse: more availability, more violence,
unidentifiable and possibly impure drugs, and a system that exploits
teens to enrich drug dealers.
Marijuana prohibition puts our kids at risk —
just as alcohol prohibition did.
Notes:
1) "Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behaviors among Youths," April 2005, SAMHSA, USDHHS.
2) Monitoring the Future, "National Survey Results on
Drug Use, 1975-2003: Volume I," 2004.
3) "Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding," Natl. Comm. on Marihuana & Drug Abuse, March 1972.
4) Monitoring the Future, "Overview of Key Findings 2004," 2005
5) Monitoring the Future, "National Survey Results." 6) Monitoring the Future,
"Overview."
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