Historic shift reflects changing attitudes and legalization
For the first time in history, the number of Americans using marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis has surpassed that of those who drink alcohol with the same frequency. This milestone marks a significant cultural shift, roughly 40 years in the making, as recreational marijuana use has become more mainstream and legalized in nearly half of the U.S. states.
In 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people reported using marijuana daily or nearly every day, compared to 14.7 million who reported daily or near-daily drinking, according to an analysis of national survey data. This is a stark contrast to 1992 when fewer than one million Americans reported using marijuana almost every day.
2022 marked the first year that such intensive marijuana use overtook daily and near-daily drinking
Despite alcohol remaining more widely used overall, 2022 marked the first year that such intensive marijuana use overtook daily and near-daily drinking. Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University and the study’s author, highlighted the shift: “A good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use.”
The research, based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, was published Wednesday in the journal Addiction. The survey is a highly regarded source for self-reported estimates of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in the United States.
Currently, most states allow medical or recreational marijuana use
From 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of reporting daily or near-daily marijuana use increased 15-fold. Caulkins noted that as public acceptance grows, people might be more willing to report their marijuana use, potentially contributing to the reported increase.
Currently, most states allow medical or recreational marijuana use, though it remains illegal at the federal level. In November, Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to allow recreational cannabis, and the federal government is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
Health implications
Dr. David A. Gorelick, a psychiatry professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, emphasized the risks associated with high-frequency marijuana use. “The number of daily users suggests that more people are at risk for developing problematic cannabis use or addiction,” Gorelick said. He also warned, “High frequency use also increases the risk of developing cannabis-associated psychosis,” a severe condition where a person loses touch with reality.
This groundbreaking shift in substance use patterns highlights the evolving landscape of drug use in America, reflecting broader social changes and ongoing debates about the legalization and health implications of marijuana.