Last Updated on Friday, 24 July 2009 17:25 Written by Kristie McNealy M.D.

Health statistics from the United States show that Alaska leads the pack in marijuana use, with 15.83% of residents having used the drug in the past year.  Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts round out the top five, making the north eastern states a hot spot for marijuana use in the US.  The southern states come in dead last, with the exception of Florida, which is the only state in the south eastern US to break into the top 25.¹

Other Interesting U. S. Health Stats

Alaska

While Alaskans seem to be into pot, cigarettes are becoming a big no-no, with almost 60% of smokers trying to quit.  They also seem to prefer marijuana to heavy drinking.   All this ‘free-living’ may be causing them to forget about protection though, because Alaskans have the dubious honor of having the number one rate for chlamydia in the US. Despite all the snow, life can't be all bad, they have one of the lowest suicide rates in the US.

• Marijuana use: 15.83% (1st of 51), Heavy drinkers: 5.1% (21st of 52), Attempts to quit smoking 58.3% (12th of 52), Chlamydia rate: 605.8 per 100,000 (1st of 50), Suicide: 124 (44th of 51).²

Vermont

Residents of Vermont seem to enjoy both marijuana and casual drinking. Despite the high rates of substance use, sex education departments in Vermont deserve a bonus, they have one of the lowest AIDS rates and some of the lowest sexually transmitted disease rates in the US. In fact, Vermont seems to be one of the healthiest states in the US, with one of the lowest obesity rates and one of the lowest suicide rates.

• Marijuana use: 14.9% (2nd of 51), Casual drinkers: 65.5% (6th of 52),  AIDS: 2.7 per 100,000 (47th of 51), Chlamydia rate: 171.9 per 100,000 (46th of 50), Gonorrhea rate: 15.7 per 100,000 (46th of 50), Obesity: 17% (49th of 51), Suicide: 83 (49th of 51).²

Mississippi

As part of the so-called "Bible Belt,"Mississippi falls on the opposite end of the spectrum with the lowest rate of marijuana use in the US and low rates of alcohol consumption.  Mississippians might be swapping booze for burgers though, because residents of Mississippi have the highest obesity rate in the country, and their overall health status ranks close to the bottom too.  Mississippi also has some of the highest sexually transmitted disease rates in the US.

• Marijuana use: 7.83% (51st of 51), Casual drinkers: 37.6% (47th of 52), Binge drinkers: 10.4% (47th of 52), Chlamydia rate: 424.6 per 100,000 (4th of 50), Gonorrhea rate: 220.4 per 100,000 (2nd of 50), Obesity: 26% (1st of 51), Health index: -18.43 (49th of 50).²

Utah

As a major population center for the LDS Church (Mormons), which prohibits alcohol and premarital sex and promotes large families, religion also impacts the statistics in Utah.  Utah has the lowest rate of casual drinking in the US, as well as low rates of sexually transmitted diseases, abortions, and teen births.  On the other hand, they have the highest birth rate in the country.  Someone is working some magic in their mental health system though, because despite having the highest rate of mental health problems and very low mental health care spending, the suicide rate is actually pretty low.

• Casual drinkers: 28.7% (52nd of 52), Binge drinkers: 10.4% (47th of 52), Chlamydia rate: 168.1 per 100,000 (47th of 50), Gonorrhea rate: 17.8 per 100,000 (44th of 50), Abortion: 7 per 1,000 (40th of 47), Teen birth: 34.6 per 1,000 (34th of 51), Birth rate: 21.2 per 1,000 (1st out of 51), Poor mental health: 41.4% (1st of 50), Mental health spending: $33 per capita (48th of 51), Suicide: 336 (34th of 51).²

Maine

Residents of Maine may be healthy, but with a birth rate and sexually transmitted disease rates near the very bottom of the list, they don't seem to be getting lucky.  That said, Maine is a great place to have a baby, with low rates of preterm and low birthweight births, and a great score for child health. 

• Health index: 16.06 (5th of 50), Chlamydia rate: 156.8 (48th of 50), Gonorrhea rate: 18 (43rd of 50), Birth rate: (50th of 51), Preterm births: 10.1% (47th of 51), Low birthweight births: 6.5% (44th of 51),  Child health status: 90.9% (3rd of 51).²

Louisiana

Living in Louisiana is bad for your body but good for your mind.  While Louisiana's health index is the worst in the nation, it has the lowest prevalence of poor mental health in the entire US.  They get those good moods naturally though, because Louisiana has low rates of both alcohol and marijuana use.

• Health index: -20.95 (50th of 50), Poor mental health: 24.4% (50th of 50), Casual drinkers: 45% (42nd of 52), Marijuana use: 8.93% (46th of 51).²

Massachusetts

People in Massachusetts aren't  having a lot of babies, but they sure are getting the bang for their buck with the highest rate of twin births in the US.  Instead of making babies, Massachusetts seems to be partying, with high rates of pot and alcohol use.

• Birth rate: 12.5 per 1,000 (43rd of 51), Twin birth ratio: 41.3 per 1,000 (1st of 51), Marijuana use: 14.19% (5th of 51), Casual drinking: 67.4 (2nd of 52), Heavy drinking: 6.1% (7th of 52).²

Michigan

Michiganders are working harder than any other state to quit smoking,with almost 62% of smokers trying to quit.  Unfortunately, their high obesity stats might lend some credence to the common complaint that people gain weight when they try to quit. 

• Attempts to quit smoking: 61.7 % (2nd of 50), Obesity rate: 24 % (5th of 51).²

Kentucky

In Kentucky, people clearly prefer cigarettes to beer.  While Kentucky has the highest rate of everyday smoking in the US, the rate of alcohol consumption is near the bottom of the list.  Unfortunately, all that smoking could be driving extremely high cancer rates in the state.

• Everyday smoking: 22.9% (1st of 52), Casual drinking: 31.7% 50th of 52), Cancer incidence: 509.9 (4th of 44).²

Wisconsin

If you're looking for a drinking buddy or a good cocktail, Wisconsin is the place for you.  The state leads the US in both casual and heavy drinking.  Not surprisingly, this information goes hand in hand with the fact that people in Wisconsin are amongst the least likely people in the US to think there is a health danger from drinking 5 or more drinks at a time once or twice a week.

Casual drinking: 67.8%  (1st of 52), Heavy drinking: 7.4%  (1st of 52), Perception of alcohol risk: 33.34% (49th of 51).²

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References:

1: Latest available data Office of Applied Studies

2: Statemaster

Comments (3)

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marijuana is Safer than Alchol
written by Todd, July 09, 2009

Choosing to smoke weed rather than drinking Alcohol is not a bad choice nor is it Morally "Loose"

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written by Jacob, July 09, 2009

Hey Todd - I don't think the authour said that Pot was a bad choice or that it is morally loose.. In fact I think it takes a pretty tolerant approach for a health site.. Jacob

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The Times are a Changin'
written by Jloss, July 10, 2009

I agree with Jacob..Pot is becoming more accepted, and this article is proof. People are starting to think for themselves!!

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