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 methamphetamine and 88 percent of those who used cocaine 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 cocaine and less than 23,000 reported using methamphetamine.
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.”
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director.