According to a recent survey by Gallup, a record 50% of citizens in America have admitted to the use of cannabis at some point in their lives.
This marks a slight increase from 49% in 2021 and 48% in 2022.
Additionally, when comparing with figures from 2017 and 2019, which stood at 45%, there’s a noticeable rise.
Interestingly, current statistics also indicate that about 17% of Americans actively smoke cannabis, reflecting a gradual increase from the 16% recorded in the previous year.
Since 2013, the proportion of citizens in America claiming to use cannabis has witnessed more than a twofold growth, rising from 7%.
Historical data from Gallup reveals a substantial growth in cannabis experimentation from 4% in 1969 to a peak of 49% in 2021.
During this interval, support for the legalisation of cannabis surged from 12% to a whopping 68%.
Analysing the demographics, young adults (aged 18-34) top the charts with 29% currently using cannabis.
This rate is notably higher compared to adults over 55, where only 9% claim to use the drug.
The national average, which is 17%, aligns closely with the consumption rate of the 35-54 age group.
Gender-wise, cannabis use is nearly equal among men and women. However, non-college graduates are approximately twice as prone to smoke compared to their college-graduate counterparts.
Political affiliations also reveal varied patterns: 21% of Democrats, 17% of independents, and 12% of Republicans smoke cannabis.
Furthermore, while most Americans seem less concerned about the effects of cannabis on adult users, there’s a heightened concern regarding its impact on teens.
A significant 75% expressed being either very or somewhat worried about young regular users, possibly reflecting official health warnings about cannabis potential detrimental effects on adolescent brain development and mental well-being.
In summary, as cannabis becomes increasingly accessible and legalised across the America, more individuals are attempting to use it.
Currently, half the nation has experienced it, with young adults leading the trend.
