Cannabis, also known as weed, marijuana, pot, or ganja, is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. According to the United Nations, about 192 million people, or 3.9% of the global population, used cannabis in 2018. However, the legal status and social acceptance of cannabis vary greatly from country to country, and even from state to state within the United States.
Cannabis in the United States
In the United States, cannabis is illegal at the federal level, but some states have legalized or decriminalized its use for medical or recreational purposes. As of April 2021, 36 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized the medical use of cannabis, while 17 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 years and older.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 48.2 million Americans, or 17.5% of the population aged 12 or older, used cannabis in the past year. The survey also found that the states with the highest rates of past-year cannabis use were Vermont (28.8%), Oregon (28.7%), Colorado (27.9%), Alaska (27.5%), and Washington (27.2%). The states with the lowest rates of past-year cannabis use were Alabama (10.1%), Mississippi (10.4%), Iowa (10.6%), Texas (10.8%), and South Dakota (11.1%).
Cannabis in Georgia
Georgia is one of the states that has not legalized cannabis for either medical or recreational use. However, some cities and counties in Georgia have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis, reducing the penalties from criminal charges to civil fines. These include Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Athens, Clarkston, South Fulton, Forest Park, Kingsland, and Fulton County.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 1.6 million Georgians, or 18.4% of the population aged 12 or older, used cannabis in the past year. This is slightly higher than the national average of 17.5%. The survey also found that the county with the highest rate of past-year cannabis use in Georgia was DeKalb County, with 24.4% of the population aged 12 or older reporting cannabis use.
Why DeKalb County?
DeKalb County is the fourth-most populous county in Georgia, with an estimated population of 759,297 as of 2019. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and includes the cities of Decatur, Stonecrest, Tucker, Chamblee, and Clarkston. DeKalb County is also home to several colleges and universities, such as Emory University, Georgia State University Perimeter College, Oglethorpe University, and Agnes Scott College.
There are several possible factors that could explain why DeKalb County has the highest rate of weed consumption in Georgia. One factor could be the decriminalization of cannabis in some of the cities within the county, such as Atlanta and Clarkston, which could reduce the fear of legal consequences and increase the availability and accessibility of cannabis.
Another factor could be the presence of a large and diverse population of young adults, students, and minorities, who tend to have higher rates of cannabis use than other demographic groups. A third factor could be the influence of the culture and media of Atlanta, which is known for its hip hop and rap music scene, where cannabis use is often portrayed and celebrated.
Conclusion
Cannabis is a widely used substance in the United States, but its legal status and social acceptance vary greatly across the states and regions. Georgia is one of the states that has not legalized cannabis for either medical or recreational use, but some of its cities and counties have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
DeKalb County, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and has a large and diverse population of young adults, students, and minorities, has the highest rate of weed consumption in Georgia, and one of the highest in the country. The reasons for this could be related to the decriminalization of cannabis in some of the cities within the county, the presence of a vibrant and influential culture and media of Atlanta, and the preferences and attitudes of the residents of DeKalb County.