According to a nationwide poll of 1,000 teenagers by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 34 percent of the teens said it was easier to buy marijuana, compared with cigarettes or beer.

In particular, the study found that 27 percent of the teens said they could buy marijuana in an hour or less, while more than one-third said they could purchase the drug in just a few hours.

Despite the reports of easy youth access to marijuana, 75 percent of the teens surveyed said they did not use the drug.

The study also found that 63 percent of the students said they perceive their school to be "drug-free," nearly double the number of teens who said the same in 1998.

Drug prevention programs and tough policies on drugs are credited for less drug activity at schools.

It is the first time since the study began in 1996 that marijuana edged out cigarettes and beer as the easiest drug for teenagers to buy.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Bre on 29 Aug 08 01:22 PM EDT

I have to say marijuana is very easy to get ahold. I too am a teenager and I have to say I disagree on 75% saying they dont use the drug and the 63% saying their schools are "drug free." Most teens use marijuana and schools are far from drug free these days. Kids go to school drunk, high...you name it.

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