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Marijuana usage is becoming a growing concern these days, especially with many people claiming that banning the substance is just a political move rather than a real health risk. Here are a few statistics for teenage marijuana usage according to the latest results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

• In 2009, 2.4 million young people aged 12 above were initiated to the usage of marijuana. This is higher than the estimated amount of first time marijuana users back in 2009 (2.1 million). On the average, about 6,500 young people try marijuana for the first time every single day. This is higher than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and other drugs that young people use.


• According to statistics, the number of young people aged 12 to 17 at risk of using marijuana is at 10.1% for moderate risk and 1.3% as great risk. It remains statistically unchanged compared with the figures of 2008, but has dropped significantly compared to 13% in 2002.


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• The rate of young people disapproving of their peers using marijuana once a month has slightly decreased to 87% in 2009 compared with 2008's 87.2%, an improvement from 84.7% in 2002.


• In 2009, 14.9% of young people aged 12 to 17 were exposed to drug and alcohol prevention messages in school. The prevalence of drug use was found to be lower among students who were exposed to these preventive talks and messages (8.6%) than among those who were not exposed to these efforts (9.4% used marijuana).


• In 2009, marijuana is the illicit drug with the highest number of dependence or abuse. Cocaine and pain relievers followed close behind. According to statistics, 4.3 million young people aged 12 to 17 are addicted to or dependent on marijuana or hashish. This represents 1.7% of the total population of young people in this age bracket. This number also represents 60.5% of the total number of drug dependents and abusers.


• In 2009, 12.6% of people who were dependent on illicut drug or abused them first tried marijuana when they were 14 or younger. People who tried marijuana at an older age (18 and above) were less likely to develop an addiction for other illicit drugs.


• In 2009, 1.2 people aged 12 to 17 years old are receiving treatment for marijuana use. Following closely to that number is cocaine where 787,000 are seeking treatment.


• Among young people aged 12 and older, the most common reason for not seeking treatment is that they have no health coverage or could not afford the cost of the treatment. This made up for 36.8% of the reasons why people didn't seek treatment. 30.5% refused treatment because they were not ready to stop using drugs, and 10.2% feel that their susbstance use/abuse are still at a manageable level and they didn't need treatment for it.