Marijuana UsersMy preliminary report will explain as much as possible the characteristics of marijuana users and how these characteristics differ from those of non-marijuana users. I'm sure you're wondering, "Why do people use marijuana in the first place?" This is a difficult question to answer in one sentence, but my report will simplify the question by explaining as much as possible what motivates marijuana users to start and continue using the drug. From my reading so far, there has been a continuing trend of marijuana users getting into the drug for the first time under tremendous pressure from their friends or colleagues. The peer group has a powerful influence on the non-user because the non-user wants to feel accepted by the "inside" crowd. The tendency to want to be "accepted" by a group of marijuana users is the main reason why marijuana use begins. Individuals usually find themselves in situations that promote marijuana use, such as parties or within a group of acquaintances. The largest age group that falls into these "acquaintances" appears to be 18 to 20 years old, but marijuana use declines dramatically after age 22. Young people in the 18-20 age group seem to be looking for new and different things. experiences. The idea of ​​getting high also appeals to many young marijuana users: a temporary way to forget about the problems associated with youth. Marijuana users tend to make up the majority of the white, middle-class community, which may come as a shock to some Americans. My reading has shown that, in most cases, being black or Asian decreases the likelihood that a student will use marijuana. It appears that the individual's sociocultural circumstances have a lot to do with marijuana use, not the individual's race. A large percentage of college students use marijuana, 25% of students or more according to some findings. This may not come as a surprise to us. What I was surprised to discover in my readings is that chronic marijuana users do, as a class and individually, very well academically. Additionally, they are achievement-oriented, and in one particular study I read about, some chronic marijuana users even intended to attend graduate school at a higher rate than non-users. There were no differences from what I had read between marijuana users and non-users. in the number of tests, suspensions, disciplinary actions or expulsions from school.