Monitoring Marijuana Usage: A Comprehensive American Overview

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. In 2023, 17% of Americans reported smoking marijuana, with 50% saying they have tried it at some point. This is a significant increase from 2013, when only 7% of Americans reported smoking marijuana. Marijuana usage varies across demographic groups, with men, those without a college degree, and Democrats being more likely to use the drug.

There are a variety of information sources available to monitor the prevalence and trends of cannabis use in the United States, including national surveys, policy monitoring systems, and research studies. These sources provide data on cannabis use, emergency department visits, substance use and misuse, policy measures, and other related tools.

Marijuana usage among youth

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with 52.5 million people, or about 19% of Americans, having used it at least once in 2021. The drug is particularly popular among youth, with almost 40% of high school students reporting that they have tried it.

The perceived riskiness of marijuana use has been decreasing among youth, with studies showing that 3,300 teens try weed for the first time every day. This is a worrying trend, as people who use marijuana before the age of 12 are twice as likely to develop a mental illness compared to those who first use marijuana at age 18 or older. Research also shows that girls aged 14-15 who used marijuana daily were five times more likely to suffer from depression at age 21.

Despite the rise in marijuana use among youth, there has been no significant rise in self-reported marijuana use by adolescents following the enactment of both medical cannabis access laws and adult-use marijuana laws. In fact, the percentage of adolescents reporting substance use decreased significantly in 2021, with the largest one-year decrease in overall illicit drug use reported since the Monitoring the Future survey began in 1975.

However, it is important to note that marijuana use among youth can have negative consequences, including impairments in cognition and increased prevalence of mood, psychotic, and addictive disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to continue monitoring marijuana use among youth and to implement prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce the potential harm associated with marijuana use in this vulnerable population.

Marijuana usage among adults

In 2015, an estimated 22.2 million Americans aged 12 and above reported using cannabis in the past month, with cannabis use being most prevalent among young people aged 18-25 (19.8%). The number of American adults who currently use marijuana is 16.9%.

The rise in marijuana usage can be attributed to its growing acceptability, with many considering it "less risky" than other substances like tobacco, alcohol, or painkillers. Marijuana is also considered "less harmful" due to the fact that there have been zero marijuana-related overdoses ever reported, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

According to a 2015 study by Jama Psychiatry, marijuana's popularity has risen considerably over the past decade. The study found that the number of Americans who claimed to have increased their marijuana use within the past year doubled from 4.1% in 2001-02 to 9.1% in 2015.

The Yahoo News/Marist national survey revealed that approximately 35 million Americans use marijuana on a monthly basis, and 55 million reported using it within the past year. This number is higher than the number of active tobacco smokers, which is approximately 36.5 million.

Public opinion surveys report that 60% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, with this number increasing over the years. As of 2021, about 68% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older were in favor of legalization.

The rise in marijuana usage among adults has had significant economic impacts as well. The legal marijuana industry made $10 billion in 2017, a 30% increase from the previous year. By 2026, the industry is expected to be worth $50 billion.

Marijuana usage by gender

Marijuana usage in the United States has been monitored through various national surveys, such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Monitoring the Future, and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). These surveys collect data on cannabis use, including frequency, age of initiation, and demographic information such as gender. Here is an overview of marijuana usage by gender in the United States:

• A July 2017 survey found that approximately 13% of American men and 7% of American women currently smoke marijuana. This gender disparity is consistent with previous findings, indicating that males are more likely to use marijuana.
• National surveys, such as the NSDUH and Monitoring the Future, have consistently found higher past-year and past-month marijuana use among males compared to females. For example, the NSDUH reported that 17% of adolescent males and 15% of adolescent females had used marijuana in their lifetime.
• Gender differences in marijuana use become more pronounced during adolescence. Studies suggest that males are more likely to initiate marijuana use at an earlier age and are more likely to be on a heavier use trajectory.
• Racial and ethnic background also play a role in gender differences in marijuana use. For instance, African-American males are more likely to use marijuana than African-American females. Caucasian females, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of marijuana use compared to males of the same race.
• Extracurricular activities seem to have a protective effect against marijuana use for both genders, but the benefit appears more significant for females. Employment status also interacts with gender, with employed females being more likely to use marijuana than employed males.
• The transition from initiation of marijuana use to regular use may be faster for females than for males. This suggests that females may progress from initial use to problematic use at a quicker rate.
• While male adolescents generally have higher rates of marijuana use, the reasons and correlates of use differ between genders. For instance, conduct problems and covert or aggressive behaviour are stronger predictors of marijuana initiation in females, while serious conduct problems are more prominent in males.
• Gender differences in the reasons for marijuana use extend beyond adolescence. For example, Caucasian females are more likely to use marijuana for medical purposes, while Caucasian males are more likely to use it recreationally.

Marijuana usage by education level

Marijuana usage in the US is monitored through various national surveys, including the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Monitoring the Future, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). These surveys collect data on cannabis use, emergency department visits, substance use and misuse, policy measures, and other related tools. The data from these surveys can be used to inform policy development and public health interventions aimed at reducing marijuana use and addressing its potential harms.

When it comes to marijuana usage by education level, the available data suggest that individuals with lower levels of education are more likely to use marijuana and to use it more frequently. According to a 2017 report, Americans with less than a high school education were less likely to report past-month marijuana use compared to those with a high school diploma or some college education. However, among past-month users, those with less than a high school education were the most likely to report daily or near-daily use. This indicates that while overall usage rates may be lower among less educated individuals, those who do use marijuana are more likely to engage in heavy or frequent use.

Another study found that students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 who lived with someone who used marijuana or had friends who used marijuana were more likely to use it themselves. This suggests that peer and family influences may play a role in an individual's decision to use marijuana, regardless of their education level. Additionally, the perception of risk associated with marijuana use may also vary by education level, with some studies finding that individuals with lower levels of education perceive less risk in using marijuana.

Overall, while education level may be a factor in marijuana usage, it is important to consider other social and environmental factors that can influence an individual's decision to use marijuana.

Marijuana usage by state

Marijuana usage in the United States has been monitored through various national surveys, including the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and Monitoring the Future. These surveys provide data on self-reported marijuana use, including the frequency of use and demographics of users. The data from these surveys show that marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the country, with approximately 52.5 million people or about 19% of Americans having used it at least once in 2021.

When looking at marijuana usage by state, there are some notable differences. In 2022, Vermont had the highest percentage of adults who reported using marijuana in the past year, at around 34.37%. On the other hand, states like Georgia, Alabama, and Arizona had lower usage rates, with percentage changes of 1.9%, 2.6%, and 2.9%, respectively, from 2014 to 2017.

Legalization of recreational marijuana use appears to have an impact on usage rates, with states like Oregon and Washington D.C. experiencing spikes in usage after legalization. As of 2024, marijuana is fully legalized in 18 states, contributing to the increasing acceptance and usage of the drug across the country.

Public perception of marijuana has also shifted over the decades, with a growing number of people considering it less harmful than other substances and supporting its legalization. This shift in perception, along with legalization trends, has led to an increase in marijuana usage and its position as the third most commonly used addictive substance in the United States.

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