More Americans Now Use Marijuana than Cigarettes
New survey data shows marijuana use has surpassed cigarette use in America, and the number of people who use marijuana daily is growing.
Marijuana has been legalized to varying degrees under different state laws, and the Trump Administration has eased federal restrictions on the drug. But while policymakers push for more marijuana, there is serious concern about the way Americans use it.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s newest survey on drug use shows that more Americans now use marijuana on a daily basis than smoke cigarettes. And while tobacco and alcohol use have declined since 2021, marijuana use has increased — especially among adults age 26 or older. Cannabis use disorder — a measure of dependence or addiction to marijuana — also increased.
All told, the survey estimates 61.6 million Americans used marijuana in the past year. About one-third of them — 21.4 million people — used marijuana either daily or almost daily. If these frequent users formed their own state, it would be roughly seven times the population of Arkansas.
Americans need to understand how serious our nation’s drug problem is when it comes to marijuana.
Earlier this year, the editorial board at The New York Times published a stunning column titled, “It’s Time for America to Admit That It Has a Marijuana Problem.” In it, the editors raised concerns about the rapid expansion of marijuana and marijuana use across the country.
Yale reports roughly 30% of current cannabis users now meet the criteria for addiction. Researchers writing in JAMA found nearly one in three “medical” marijuana users may suffer from cannabis use disorder.
THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.
Researchers have found marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.
And contrary to popular belief, legalization in other states has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across the country.
These problems don’t just hurt marijuana users. They affect entire communities — including the people who never use marijuana or other drugs.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
