Boston, Boulder lead U.S. in marijuana use, study finds

WASHINGTON – Both college towns, Boston and Boulder, Colo., share another distinction: They lead the nation in marijuana use. Northwestern Iowa and southern Texas have the lowest use.

For the first time, the government looked at the use of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and various other substances, legal as well as illegal, by region rather than by state for a report Thursday.

Federal officials say the information will help states decide where they should spend money for treatment and prevention programs.

For marijuana, 5.1 percent of people around the country reported using marijuana in the previous 30 days. In Boston, the home of Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern and several other colleges, 12.2 percent reported using marijuana in the previous 30 days.

John Auerbach, executive director of the public health commission for the city of Boston, acknowledged that the data may reflect the city’s significant 20-something population.

“College students in general have a more relaxed attitude about marijuana than other age groups,” he said. “But in general, I don’t think Boston has a markedly differently perspective on marijuana than other parts of the country.”

The survey also measures 11 other categories, including binge drinking – defined as five or more drinks in one sitting. Nationally, 20 percent of people 12 and older reported one or more episodes of binge drinking during the previous month.