The popularity of the drug also varies with age. An alarming 19% of Americans age 12–17 had already tried marijuana. Young adults age 18– 25 often have the highest percentage of users. In 1999, 52% of the people in this age group had tried the drug at least once, and 17% had smoked in the last month. Fewer people above age 25 smoke cannabis, with rates approaching 40% for lifetime use (SAMHSA, 2000). Rates of use also change in different eras. From 1972 until 1979, the percentage of users in the United States increased steadily each year. At the peak in 1979, 68% of the people age 18–25 reported using the drug at least once. Rates have decreased since then. Only 51% of young adults had tried the drug in 1991 and only 44% in 1996 (NIDA, 1991; SAMHSA, 1997). Currently, most people do not use the drug or do not use it often. In the United States in 1999, nonusers outnumbered users in all age groups. The percentage of people who use weekly (less than 3%) or monthly (5%) appears relatively small.

These estimates require cautious interpretation. Although researchers gather data carefully, these surveys invariably rely on self-reports. These numbers may not represent the true number of marijuana smokers. Instead, they depict the percentage of people who are willing to admit to using the drug. Although even presidential candidates will acknowledge smoking marijuana, people often lie about illegal or socially undesirable behaviors (LaBrie & Earleywine, 2000; Wimbush & Dalton, 1997). The bias in reporting may stem from the legal and social sanctions associated with drug use. The amount of bias may differ depending on the age of the respondent and the era of the response. For many reasons, teenagers in the 1970s might have claimed to have used cannabis even when they had not. Peer pressure and general attitudes about marijuana at the time may have contributed to overreporting.

For other reasons, parents in the 1990s might have claimed they never used the drug when they actually had. They may worry that their chil dren will use the drug, which may contribute to underreporting their own use. These sorts of biases make estimates inaccurate. Everyday forgetfulness can decrease the validity of reports, too. For example, infrequent users may not recall correctly if they used the drug in the previous month. Thus, these estimates can only provide a general feel for the number of marijuana smokers over the years. Even urine screens or hair tests could not reveal exactly how many people ever used the drug because these procedures cannot assess consumption in the distant past.

Although assessments of the number of users are difficult, estimates of the amount used prove even more cumbersome. Legal drugs like alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine have standard units for consumption. A shot of whiskey, cup of coffee, and pack of cigarettes may not vary dramatically. In contrast, no standards exist for amounts of marijuana. Pipe bowls and joints range considerably in size. Different plants also show a wide range of potency. The subjective experience achieved with any amount may vary dramatically, too (Zimmer & Morgan, 1997). . .

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