Americans now consume more cannabis than tobacco. This is what emerges from a Gallup survey: 16% of the general population regularly consume weed against 11% of tobacco. And, according to the same survey, 50% of the inhabitants questioned had tasted it at least once.
The survey conducted this summer shows that 14% of Americans also consume edible marijuana products. In addition, while men are more likely than women to report having ever tried cannabis, the level of consumption (smoked, vaped or ingested) is in fact roughly equal between the two sexes.
Unsurprisingly, the highest consumption rate is among 18-34 year olds (30% smoke and 22% ingest). Adults aged 35 to 54 are only 16% and those over 55, 7%.
According to the same Gallup study, Americans are now a majority in favor of the legalization of cannabis. Today, 19 states, plus the District of Washington and Guam, have legalized marijuana for recreational use, 38 for medical use.
The proportion of Americans who have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime has risen from 4% in 1960 to 50% in 2022.
Among the interesting data, let’s also note the fact that the level of education and cannabis use are not correlated: people with a university degree are in fact about as likely as others to do so. use.
A sign of profound changes in mentalities and, also, of the end of the omnipotence of the tobacco industry. Its use in the United States has been steadily declining since the 1960s, when authorities officially declared its use to cause cancer. Since then, a series of government-funded anti-smoking campaigns and tobacco taxation have continued to drive down cigarette sales.
Gradually, manufacturers have invested in the electronic cigarette, but even more so in the production of cannabis.