Daily Marijuana Use Surpasses Alcohol in U.S. for First Time

May 22, 2024, 04:26 PM

A new study published in the journal Addiction reveals that daily marijuana use has surpassed daily alcohol consumption in the United States for the first time. The analysis, which spans four decades of national survey data, indicates that over 40% of U.S. cannabis users are daily or near-daily users. In 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people reported using marijuana daily or near-daily, compared to 14.7 million daily or near-daily drinkers. The study also highlights a significant increase in marijuana potency, with average THC consumption rising from 5 mg per day in the 1990s to 300 mg per day today. Additionally, from 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of reporting daily or near-daily marijuana use increased 15-fold. The study also notes a 120% increase in past-year use and a 218% increase in days of use reported per capita between 2008 and 2022. This surge in marijuana use is associated with its ongoing legalization across the country.