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UNODC drug report: Rise in US cannabis use treatments | UNODC drug report: Rise in US cannabis use treatments |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Cannabis use in the United States has increased, with more people visiting hospital emergency departments over its use, a UN report says. | Cannabis use in the United States has increased, with more people visiting hospital emergency departments over its use, a UN report says. |
The potency of the drug in the US appeared to have increased, making it more harmful, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's World Drugs Report added. | The potency of the drug in the US appeared to have increased, making it more harmful, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's World Drugs Report added. |
It said it was too early to tell if the legalisation of cannabis in two US states had had an impact on drug use. | It said it was too early to tell if the legalisation of cannabis in two US states had had an impact on drug use. |
Global illegal opium poppy farming rose 26% between 2012 and 2013, it added. | Global illegal opium poppy farming rose 26% between 2012 and 2013, it added. |
"In the United States, the lower perceived risk of cannabis use has led to an increase in its use," the report said, although global use of cannabis appeared to have fallen. | "In the United States, the lower perceived risk of cannabis use has led to an increase in its use," the report said, although global use of cannabis appeared to have fallen. |
There was a 56% increase in US cannabis-related emergency department visits between 2006 and 2010, and a 14% increase in admission to treatment centres for drug abuse over the same period, the report said, citing US government data. | There was a 56% increase in US cannabis-related emergency department visits between 2006 and 2010, and a 14% increase in admission to treatment centres for drug abuse over the same period, the report said, citing US government data. |
The percentage of people in the US aged 12 or older who admitted to using marijuana in the past year had increased from 10% in 2008 to 12% in 2012, the report added. | The percentage of people in the US aged 12 or older who admitted to using marijuana in the past year had increased from 10% in 2008 to 12% in 2012, the report added. |
'Complex relationship' | 'Complex relationship' |
One reason for the increased need for medical treatment is thought to be an increased potency in the drug, the report said. | One reason for the increased need for medical treatment is thought to be an increased potency in the drug, the report said. |
"In some parts of the world we have seen that the content of the main psychotic substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has increased, and this in a way makes the cannabis more harmful," UNODC research branch chief Angela Me told the BBC. | "In some parts of the world we have seen that the content of the main psychotic substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has increased, and this in a way makes the cannabis more harmful," UNODC research branch chief Angela Me told the BBC. |
Risks of cannabis use | |
World Health Organization - Cannabis | |
Washington state legalised possession of marijuana in December 2012, and Colorado did the same in January. | Washington state legalised possession of marijuana in December 2012, and Colorado did the same in January. |
Uruguay also legalised cannabis in May. | Uruguay also legalised cannabis in May. |
Research showed that young people considered the use of cannabis less risky when it was legalised, the report said. | Research showed that young people considered the use of cannabis less risky when it was legalised, the report said. |
However, Ms Me said that "the relationship between risk perception and legalisation" was "complex". | However, Ms Me said that "the relationship between risk perception and legalisation" was "complex". |
"It's not clear one causes the other - you may have legalisation because people perceive a lower risk from cannabis; or a legalisation movement leads to a lower risk perception. | "It's not clear one causes the other - you may have legalisation because people perceive a lower risk from cannabis; or a legalisation movement leads to a lower risk perception. |
"But what we have seen is that there is clearly a correlation between the perception of risk and the start of cannabis use," she added. | "But what we have seen is that there is clearly a correlation between the perception of risk and the start of cannabis use," she added. |
Separately, the report said that illegal opium poppy farming had increased, especially in Afghanistan, where 209,000 hectares (800 square miles) of land was used to cultivate poppies in 2013. | Separately, the report said that illegal opium poppy farming had increased, especially in Afghanistan, where 209,000 hectares (800 square miles) of land was used to cultivate poppies in 2013. |
Opiates and similar synthetic drugs, opioids, caused the most drug-related deaths worldwide, it said. | Opiates and similar synthetic drugs, opioids, caused the most drug-related deaths worldwide, it said. |
Meanwhile, the report said the global availability of cocaine had fallen in 2012, although use remained high in the North and South America. | Meanwhile, the report said the global availability of cocaine had fallen in 2012, although use remained high in the North and South America. |