Different states in the US have different laws about weed, which means that people use it in different ways. Texas, in particular, does not allow people to use marijuana, but there is a program that lets people with seizures use low-THC cannabis oil.
More and more people in Texas want to change the laws about marijuana usage, which is changing how people think about it. There has been a noticeable trend in the Lone Star State, especially in its lively capital city of Austin, over the past few years.
A new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says that Austin has the highest rate of adults who use marijuana. We will also talk about the possible effects on public health and laws, as well as the reasons why there is so much marijuana use in this city.
Texas’s Marijuana Usage in Comparison to Other States
More adults in Texas use marijuana than in some other states, but Texas isn’t the most-used state. SAMHSA says that 17.5% of Texans said they had used marijuana in the past year, which is more than the national rate of 11.9%.
Texas, on the other hand, is behind states like Alaska (27.9%), Colorado (25.4%), Oregon (29.8%), and Massachusetts (26.9%). 4.6% of Texans met the standards for marijuana dependence or abuse in the past year, which is more than the national rate.
Austin: Texas’ Cannabis Capital
Based on SAMHSA’s examination of data from 2019 and 2020, Austin enjoys the highest rate of adult marijuana usage in Texas. According to the study, 17.5% of Austin citizens used marijuana in the year prior, which is more than the state average of 11.9%.
Austin, the capital of Texas and the location of the University of Texas is well-known for its thriving music and art scenes in addition to its liberal and progressive culture. Although small-scale cannabis possession was decriminalized in 2020, marijuana is still illegal on a state and federal level, which puts users in Austin in danger.
Contributing Factors to Increased Marijuana Use in Austin
There are a few possible reasons why more people in Austin use weed than in other Texas cities. Here are some of these factors:
Demographics: The average age of people in Austin is lower than the average age of people in the state as a whole. Younger people are more likely to use marijuana, and a SAMHSA study shows that adults in Texas between the ages of 18 and 25 use marijuana the most.
Cultural Traditions: Austin is known for having a culture that is open and accepting. Events like the Austin Reggae Festival and the Austin Hemp Fest celebrate weed culture. The city also has a weed market that is growing, with more shops, delivery services, and groups that support pot use.
Rules: When it comes to marijuana rules, Austin is more liberal than other Texas towns. A resolution from the 2020 City Council made it legal to have up to two ounces of marijuana. The resolution told the cops not to arrest or ticket people for having this much weed. But it’s important to remember that cops can still choose to follow state rules if they want to.
How to Reduce Marijuana Use in Austin
A community-wide effort to reduce marijuana consumption must take a multi-pronged strategy. To reduce marijuana usage in Austin, here are a few things that may be done:
Educational Campaigns:
- Start public information efforts to teach people about the risks and health effects that might come from using marijuana.
- Target public places, community centers, and schools to spread information about the bad effects of using marijuana too much.
Increased Law Enforcement and Regulation:
- Increase the work of law enforcement to stop the illegal sale and use of weed.
- Put rules on marijuana shops or make sure they follow them to make sure they act responsibly and stop easy access, especially for children.
Treatment and Rehabilitation Programs:
- Make it easier for people who are addicted to marijuana to get help and rehabilitation services.
- Work with addiction experts and health care professionals to provide guidance and support services to people who need them.
Workplace and Employer Initiatives:
- Encourage companies to make rules against using marijuana at work, especially in fields that care a lot about safety.
- Give businesses the tools they need to teach their workers about how using weed might affect their safety and ability to do their jobs.
Mental Health Support Services:
- Improve mental health services and tools to deal with problems that may be at the root of drug abuse.
- Raise knowledge about mental health and get rid of the stigma surrounding it to get people to ask for help when they need it.
Policy Advocacy and Legislative Measures:
- Support policies that are based on facts and that prevent marijuana use, especially among people who are more likely to be hurt by it.
- Laws about getting and using marijuana should be put in place or changed so that they are in line with community goals.