For the first time in the United States, the number of daily cannabis users has surpassed the number of daily alcohol consumers.
According to a recent research report by an American news agency, this shift has occurred following the legalization of cannabis in half of the states over the past 40 years.
National survey data indicates that in 2022, there were 17.7 million daily cannabis users compared to 14.7 million daily alcohol consumers. In 1992, cannabis use was much lower, with only around 1 million users.
Jonathan Collins, a researcher from Carnegie Mellon University who contributed to the study, stated that while alcohol consumption remains higher overall, daily cannabis use exceeded that of daily alcohol use for the first time in 2022. He noted that “40% of individuals use it nearly daily, a trend that surpasses alcohol use.”
The report compiled data on substance use and health. It shows that from 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of daily cannabis use increased fifteenfold.
While most U.S. states allow cannabis use for medical or recreational purposes, it remains illegal at the federal level. Florida is expected to take a significant step in November with a constitutional amendment vote on this issue. Meanwhile, the federal government is moving towards reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance.
