Ethnographers
All but two ethnographic sources (Atlanta and Los Angeles)
reported high levels of marijuana use. There appears to be a wide
variety of users in most areas, though it is a drug which is
particularly popular among teens and young adults. One New York
ethnographer reported that more expensive marijuana is being used
by more affluent, older "marijuana connoisseurs" who fancy exotic
varieties. The bulk of marijuana available in that area, however,
is consumed by younger, less affluent users. A recent New York
State high school survey reports that 12 percent of New York teens
said that they smoked marijuana at least four times a month, double
the number in the 1990 survey.
"Blunts," cigar-like marijuana cigarettes--either made
entirely of marijuana or with mixtures of marijuana, crack, or PCP
--continue to be popular. On the Texas border, the popular
practice of smoking cocaine-laced blunts may also be leading to an
increase among teens of smoking crack. In Chicago, a marijuana
cigarette laced with both PCP and crack and called "Ozone" was
marketed over the summer at $15. The popularity of PCP and
marijuana mixtures in some areas is highlighted by the report from
Delaware that many teens who report they use only marijuana are
surprised when they also test positive for PCP on urinalysis.
In most areas marijuana is sold by different dealers than
those who deal heroin or cocaine. In Connecticut there are even
distinctly separate marijuana dealers specializing in distribution
to either the inner city or the suburban marijuana users. This is
in contrast to the heroin/cocaine market in that city, where
suburban dealers drive into the inner city to buy their drug
supplies The suburban marijuana dealer is also likely to be
offering PCP and LSD and to make their sales through a personal
network of users. However, in San Francisco there is an increasing
overlap between the heroin, cocaine, and marijuana dealers and the
marijuana trade is described as "getting as rough as crack."
The marijuana trade is particularly active at the Texas
border, where families may be organized to carry on a tradition of
marijuana growing and distribution. A study of gang activity
conducted by the El Paso ethnographer found that many border area
Mexican families permit their teenagers to participate in marijuana
distribution, both because of the income it provides and because
they have historical ties to hemp growing reaching back more than
50 years.
Prices for marijuana vary widely depending on whether it is
locally grown or imported. Many local varieties, particularly
those grown hydroponically, sensemilla, or new, higher THC strains
which have been developed, are more expensive than Mexican
marijuana. Regardless of the type, marijuana is available
everywhere in small units (bags costing $5 to $10) as well as in
larger quantities costing far more.
Police
With the exception of sources in Cleveland, all police
contacts report that marijuana use is stable in their areas and
that it is being used by a diverse group, particularly young users.
Police describe both local and Mexican or Jamaican sources for
marijuana and the same variation in price and purity reported by
the ethnographers. One source in Washington State also noted that
there are large quantities of marijuana available for sale (as much
as 25 pounds) from young dealers in that area.
Treatment Providers
As with the last quarter's report, only Region I providers
report increases in the number of users in treatment with marijuana
as their primary drug problem. In all regions, from one-third to
one-half of the users in treatment for marijuana abuse are under 20
years old, are predominantly Caucasian, and male. Again, treatment
providers often mention that users do not generally come to
treatment with marijuana as their primary problem. They are more
often polydrug users who present for treatment with a range of drug
problems including alcohol, cocaine, and inhalants, as well as
marijuana.
