(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - From January-October 2019 more than 17 tons of taxed marijuana products were sold, generating more than $17 million in state tax revenue. And that is just one finding of a new report just released by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention.

The Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention has produced a news report to summarize information about marijuana use among youth, adults, and pregnant women; related attitudes; potential health and social consequences of use; and the marijuana-related context of the state and communities.

Findings may be useful to Alaska stakeholders who are working to prevent youth from starting to use marijuana, as well as preventing risky use by adults and vulnerable populations such as pregnant women.

The most recently available data were obtained from multiple Alaska and U.S. data systems, including public health surveys, vital statistics, and administrative data. Here some highlights from the report: 

• The number of marijuana businesses has grown steadily. In October 2019 there were 102 retail stores licensed to sell marijuana in the state. Businesses are located throughout the state. State marijuana regulators have not set limits on the number of licenses by person or entity.
  
  
• In 2017, one in five traditional high school students used marijuana in the past 30 days; one in ten high school students who drive had done so after using marijuana in the past month. 
  
  
• The number of youth who have been referred to juvenile justice systems for marijuana offenses has increased since 2016.  

• Nearly one in ten women who delivered a baby in Alaska in 2017 said they used marijuana at least once while they were pregnant. 
  
  
• About 54,000 adults are using at levels that may be considered risky. Adult heavy use increased significantly between 2015 and 2017. The prevalence of marijuana use among Alaska adults was higher than the national average.

• One in ten (11%) high school students who drive had done so after using marijuana in the past month.

• From January-October 2019 more than 17 tons of taxed marijuana products were sold, generating more than $17 million in state tax revenue.

On the Web:

 Read the full 2020 report for more facts and data (82 pages pdf)

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Health & Social Studies
www.dhss.alaska.gov

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