A recent study results have indicated that in the United States, the amount of individuals using marijuana daily has exceeded the number of people who drink alcohol regularly, indicating a shift in societal norms.
In 2022, the number of Americans who consumed marijuana products on a daily or near-daily basis reached approximately 17.7 million, surpassing the 14.7 million individuals who consumed alcohol in a similar manner, according to the analysis conducted by Carnegie Mellon University that was published in the Addiction medical journal earlier this week. The study utilized data obtained from the US government’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
According to the authors of the study, the daily consumption of marijuana has surpassed that of liquor for the first time. However, it is important to note that alcohol is still more commonly used overall, just not on a daily basis. The researcher also highlighted that approximately 40% of current cannabis users are consuming it daily or almost daily, which is a trend more commonly seen with tobacco use rather than alcohol consumption.
The rise in frequent marijuana consumption has coincided with the growing trend of legalizing the substance throughout the United States. Approximately half of America’s states have given the green light to recreational pot use, with Washington and Colorado leading the way back in 2012. Many other states have also permitted the medicinal use of cannabis, and in certain jurisdictions, possession of the drug for personal use has been decriminalized.
In 1992, the number of Americans using marijuana on a daily basis was less than 1 million, marking a low point before the introduction of new marijuana laws. However, since then, there has been a significant surge in per-capita rates of regular marijuana use, increasing 15 times over. One possible explanation for this rise, is that with the growing acceptance of marijuana in society, more individuals are now comfortable acknowledging their regular use of the drug.
Substance abuse experts have cautioned that the use of cannabis may lead to respiratory issues similar to those associated with smoking tobacco, along with an elevated risk of heart attacks. Additionally, the drug has been associated with developmental challenges in children, both during and after pregnancy. Prolonged marijuana use can also contribute to mental health disorders like paranoia and hallucinations, exacerbating symptoms of schizophrenia.
