In a historic turning point for American substance use, daily or near-daily cannabis consumption has surpassed daily alcohol use for the first time.
Data show that 17.7 million people in the U.S. use marijuana daily, compared to 14.7 million daily drinkers.
This trend marks a staggering 15-fold increase in frequent cannabis use since 1992, with young adults between the ages of 19 and 30 nearly three times more likely to consume cannabis daily than alcohol.
This shift is largely attributed to the rapid legalization of marijuana, increased accessibility, and a significant reduction in social stigma.
However, the rise in high-frequency use—more akin to tobacco consumption patterns than traditional alcohol use—has raised concerns among health professionals.
Experts note that modern cannabis is far more potent than in previous decades, and long-term heavy use has been linked to serious health issues, including cognitive impairment and an increased risk of psychosis. As state-level policies continue to liberalize, these consumption patterns appear to represent a sustained change in American behavior.
Source: Caulkins, J. P. Changes in reported cannabis use in the United States from 1979 to 2022. Addiction.
