Study from: 

Projectknow.com (http://www.projectknow.com/)

original study here :

http://www.projectknow.com/discover/high-school-drug-use/

American teenagers are more likely to smoke marijuana than binge drink, a new report reveals.

Meanwhile in Europe, marijuana consumption is minimal while drinking levels are far higher than in the United States.

The data, published in a recent report by addiction-awareness firm Project Know, will reignite the national debate on marijuana legalization as the election approaches.

Could legalizing marijuana solve the state budget crisis?

It’s a conversation that Del. Mike Pushkin (D-Kanawha) said he at least wants to get started at the State Capitol, introducing a bill legalizing the drug as the special budget session continues.

The bill would decriminalize and permit personal use, growth and possession of certain amounts of marijuana by persons over the age of 21.

“I’m not under the impression that (House) Speaker (Tim) Armstead is going to run this bill,” Pushkin said on “580 Live” with Charleston Mayor Danny Jones Wednesday. “I just thought it was a good time to at least start talking about it, because we are in a financial crisis in this state.

Lawmakers, doctors, scientists, scholars, nonprofits and industry start-ups gathered together for West Virginia’s first Strategic Cannabis Conference on Thursday, March 17, to discuss how medical and industrial uses of cannabis (marijuana) could jumpstart the state’s economy, help the environment and relieve medical problems.

The conference was held at WVU’s College of Law, organized by WVU law student Morgan Leach, and its speakers included WVU professors and students.

West Virginia lags behind 24 states and the District of Columbia in the legalization of medical marijuana, which evidence has shown can reduce adverse effects of chemotherapy, relieve pain and induce appetites.

On Saturday, West Virginia NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) hosted an info meeting at the Morgantown Public Library to inform the public about their goals for the state. 5 News attended the meeting to see what they are aiming to reform about marijuana laws and if members of the community agree with the cause.

As the debate on legalization of marijuana continues all over the country, one group is working to reform marijuana laws in Morgantown. West Virginia NORML is an organization dedicated to educating our state on the positive effects they believe medical marijuana can have on chronic health issues.

Several states have begun legalizing industrial hemp, with the federal government partially legalizing hemp production with the 2014 Farm Bill. West Virginia is one of many states that have worked toward legalizing hemp, with the following people and organizations playing important roles.

PRINCETON — The officers of the Southern Regional Drug & Violent Crime Task Force rarely step into the spotlight, but when they do, there must be a very good cause.

Sgt. J.S. McCarty, of the West Virginia State Police, head of the local task force made up of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the city police departments of Princeton and Bluefield and the county sheriff’s departments of Wyoming, McDowell and Mercer counties, said that a significant gift to the Mercer County Schools was worth surfacing if only for a morning.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. offshoot that targets young, urban gardeners has acquired a Santa Rosa, California-based hydroponics company popular with marijuana growers.

Hawthorne Gardening Co., a Scotts subsidiary formed in October, purchased General Hydroponics Inc. and Bio-Organic Solutions Inc.

Terms were not disclosed, but the acquisition should position the company in the growing marijuana market.