Up in Smoke: A Timeline of Marijuana Use in the U.S.

Here are some hard numbers to put the benefits of marijuana legalization in tangible terms.

Infographic courtesy: Online Paralegal Degree Center

(WASHINGTON DC) - The political discussion regarding decriminalizing marijuana use is centuries old, yet remains a hot-button issue even today.

Where did it all start? Are we heading for a full legalization of marijuana throughout the country? Let's explore some of these questions, as well as a quick look at the increase of its use in the U.S.

Reefer Madness?

18.9 million - The number of marijuana users (occasional and daily) in the U.S. This accounts for 7.3% of the population.

42% - The percentage of Americans 12 and older who have used marijuana at one point in their lives

4.4 million - The increase in marijuana users from 2007 to today

48.3% - Percentage of drug arrests involving marijuana

1 in 3 - Americans who live in states where pot is legal for medical uses

333,578 - Americans admitted to treatment programs for marijuana abuse or addiction in 2011, though chemical addiction to the drug remains a debatable issue

Washington and Colorado - The only two states that have legalized the recreational use of small amounts of marijuana

Medicinal Marijuana - Marijuana isn't always used for recreation. Its euphoric "high" is often utilized as a natural painkiller for various diseases. But only select states hold the right to disperse it to patients.

There are currently 21 states that allow the use of medicinal marijuana, including D.C.

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• D.C.
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

Diseases/conditions for which medicinal marijuana can be prescribed:

• AIDS (HIV)
• Alzheimer's disease
• Arthritis
• Crohn's disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nausea due to chemotherapy
• Tourette's syndrome
• Those with terminally ill cancers/conditions

This infographic expands on this and more, please read and share. Education is the answer.

Source: Up in Smoke: A Timeline of Marijuana Use in the U.S.

Citations: - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml - http://www.drugwarfacts.org - http://www.medicalmarijuana.procon.org - http://www.pbs.org - http://www.balancedpolitics.org - http://www.policymic.com - http://www.reuters.com - http://www.wptv.com

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