In a historic shift, the variety of Americans consuming marijuana nearly every day has surpassed the variety of these smoking it on the similar frequency for the primary time in 2022. This change, which marks a big enhance in leisure marijuana use, comes because the substance turns into authorized in almost half of the United States.
According to knowledge evaluation from nationwide surveys, an estimated 17.7 million individuals reported utilizing marijuana every day or nearly every day, in comparison with 14.7 million who reported every day or near-daily alcohol consumption.
In 1992, every day marijuana use hit its lowest level with fewer than 1 million individuals reporting nearly every day use. However, a latest research printed within the journal Addicted reveals that between 1992 and 2022, the speed of every day or near-daily marijuana use elevated 15 instances. This surge in use could also be linked to elevated social acceptance and willingness to report marijuana use.
While extra Americans nonetheless devour alcohol than marijuana, heavy alcohol consumption is uncommon in comparison with marijuana use. One research discovered that heavy drinkers reported consuming alcohol 4 to 5 days a month, whereas the common marijuana consumer reported utilizing the substance 15 to 16 days a month.
Despite marijuana remaining unlawful on the federal stage, many states have legalized its medical or leisure use. In November, Florida voters will weigh in on a constitutional modification to legalize leisure marijuana, and the federal authorities is contemplating reclassifying marijuana as a much less harmful drug.
Health specialists warn that heavy marijuana use can result in habit and different psychological well being points, similar to cannabis-related psychosis. The growing variety of every day customers signifies a possible threat of problematic use and habit amongst Americans.
The development towards every day marijuana use is described as “staggering” within the research, which analyzed knowledge from greater than 1.6 million members in surveys performed between 1979 and 2022. The research highlights the evolving panorama of substance use within the United States and the necessity for continued analysis and monitoring of marijuana consumption patterns.