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Bay Area soars above rest of nation in recreational drug use
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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Bay Area residents use more drugs than any other metropolitan area in the country, and medical marijuana could be part of the reason, according to officials.
The percentage of people interviewed who had used marijuana, cocaine or heroin in the Bay Area, which included Fremont and Oakland, was 12.7 percent — 3 percent higher than Seattle, the second highest-ranking area with 9.6 percent.
The study, released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, surveyed people ages 12 and older in 15 major metropolitan areas such as New York and Chicago and asked if they had participated in drug use, cigarette smoking or binge drinking a month prior to being interviewed.
The Bay Area’s drug results were higher than expected, according to Jim Stillwell, San Francisco County’s Alcohol and Drug Program administrator.
“San Francisco has always been high, but I’m surprised that it’s that much higher than the others,” Stillwell said.
One of the reasons the percentage might be so high, according to Alice Gleghorn, deputy director of behavioral health services in San Francisco’s Department of Public Health, may be medical marijuana.
“The numbers could be high because of medical marijuana, which the federal government would still classify as illicit drug use,” Gleghorn said.
She added that the survey failed to get any more specific on the types of drug being used by those who were interviewed.
Gleghorn said another reason for the high numbers might be related to the excellent growing conditions for marijuana in California.
“You can’t use what you don’t have,” she said.
While the Bay Area may be pro-marijuana, it isn’t crazy about cigarettes. The region tied with Los Angeles with the lowest percentage of cigarette smokers, 17.9 percent. The national average is 25.3 percent.
John Newmeyer, epidemiologist for the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, said he has watched marijuana become part of The City’s cultural norm the last 35 years. And when it comes down to it, he said, smoking pot is safer than cigarettes.
“There is a low level of people reporting to hospitals and treatment facilities because of it,” he said, adding that the real problem to watch for might be within methamphetamine use.
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:13 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 3, 2008 re: "Washington defines 60-day medical pot supply"
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2:35 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 2, 2008
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re: "Tax relief proposed for pot clubs"
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8:51 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 21, 2008
re: "Bill to limit medical marijuana in dangerous workplaces fails"
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2:22 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008
re: "Calif. court: Bosses can fire workers for using medical marijuana"
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5:37 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
u wouldnt get sick just go smoke some wood and your pain will be gone and youll be happy ps if smoken bud would sovle are usa money problem which it would if it would be leagized and soled it at liquor stores it would make are country rich if u smoke it it for exended times all of its effects your senes less and it would make all the gang sellers without a job and it will stop atleast half their recruits because most kids get in that for for weed
1 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Atleast you guys are fortunate enough to use medicinal cannabis. I have a serious case of arthritis and nothing is working to reduce my pain or inflamation. I'd sure like to try cannabis and see if it works. But, I'm in Florida, the state with the most restrictive marijuana laws. It makes me sick that 95% of responders to the 2008 Miami Herald Poll were for Medical Marijuana. But, our governor and State Congress won't allow medical marijuana to even get on the ballot. Even if we get enough signatures for a public initiative. They can just disallow it. Our leaders here are bent on letting people suffer needlessly. I say, good for Washington State". Maybe, our leaders can learn about compassionate government from you guys, eventually.
1 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Regardless if many prescriptions are not legitimate, neither are the majority of opiate derived painkillers taken in the US. What people need to realize is that even if you don't support marijuana, this is our freedom at stake, with the federal government undermining our authority every day. You people who disagree are the same people who so willingly vote your human rights away one piece at a time. The fact of the matter is that pot is safer than alcohol in terms of physical and psychological health, and any doctor with any familiarity with the pharmacokinetics involved in THC will agree. Too bad the media/government mindset soaks into the fickle brains of those who are unable to accurately think for themselves. I feel terribly sorry for this woman.
10 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
So these drug selling thieves are collecting taxes from their customers and they don't have to pay anyone. They already charge an outrageous amount for the dope they sell make huge profits and now when the state and city needs monies - they don't have to pay? Effing please. Excuse me Feds, what happened to the letters to the landlords? Shouldn't these places all be closed by now?
5 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Yea, this is a good idea. Someone stoned on dope while running a backhoe with co-workers in a hole next to the bucket. One wrong move could crush them. Or a cop on medical marijuana with his gun drawn. People high at work is a really good idea.....NOT!!!!
29 agree | 32 disagree
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m.s. jackson said:
an observation: ...tim is not the only person from another incomprehensible dimension (dement-shun?), who reads the Examiner. After all at least 61 were able to understand the psychobabble well enough to agree and another 66 who were able to disagree with the non-statement. There does seem to be a connection in that mess with illegal aliens and medical marijuana. Unless Martians have landed in Humboldt county I don't think the word "aliens" applies. But, like I said, incomprehensible.
68 agree | 95 disagree
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m.s. jackson said:
Testing positive for medicinal marijuana use does not mean the person is high while at work. Considering how many people I have worked with who are obviously high on their antidepressants/psychotics/whatevers (can they get any more manic or wierd?) I would almost prefer a stoner who can be depended upon to have the same, if somewhat slow, personality on a daily basis. And what is more dangerous at work than someone with a major, or even minor, hangover? Hypocrites unite!
65 agree | 68 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
That is ridiculous the companies would say they could be held liable if a "high" worker is injured, or injuries someone else. Did they READ the actual law? If an employee is "high" while at work, that employee is in direct VIOLATION of the law, thus the EMPLOYEE not EMPLOYER is held liable. The law allows for medical marijuana to be used during NON-work hours and AT HOME, NOT AT WORK. The argument is undeniably flawed, and completely inaccurate. I hope they get called on their complete misinterpretation of the law passed by voters!
168 agree | 148 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
maybe if so many people, esp. in this town, who lie about their "need" for medical pot and are just smoking it to have a good time wold stop it, then legitimate users would not get screwed. Come on I see those ads in the papers they are night clubs not medical offices and "Doc 420" will give you a script for no reason. Smoke on that, losers.
167 agree | 152 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It goes to show how scared the politicos of losing their drug money from the pharmacuetical companies that kill thousands each week while a safe and effective herb is used to get more money for a failed drug war. Rumsfeld profitted mightily from Vioxx and the bird flu vaccines that were never used. Let this drug lord do his time for the death of innocent Americans.
147 agree | 139 disagree
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William Cooke said:
Yet another reason to impeach Bush and to vote for Ron Paul! This is a disgrace!
166 agree | 159 disagree
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