New Zealand: Most Pot Consumers Not Frequent Users

[Jimbo]

June 26, 2008 - Wellington, New Zealand


Wellington, New Zealand: Cannabis consumers use pot with far less frequency than do users of other illicit substances, according to a report released this week by a New Zealand economic research group. The report found that over 373,000 New Zealanders use cannabis, but that only 17 percent of them consume the drug frequently. By contrast, 36 percent of those who use met**mphetamine and 88 percent of those who used co*aine were reported to be frequent users.
Of the illicit drugs used by New Zealanders, cannabis was by far the most popular. By comparison, fewer than 40,000 New Zealanders used co*aine and less than 23,000 reported using met**mphetamine.
Commenting on the report, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, "It is telling that despite pot's prevalence, availability, and popularity, relatively few users consume it regularly. Clearly, these statistics undermine the US government's claim that cannabis is a particularly addictive drug or a supposed 'gateway' to the use of other illicit substances."

New Zealand: Most Pot Consumers Not Frequent Users - NORML