National Gallup Poll Finds 50% of Americans Have Used Marijuana, 70% Support Legalization

Nearly one in five adults in America consume marijuana regularly, and 50% have tried it at least once, according to new nationwide polling data from Gallup.

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17% of Americans in 2023 reported they smoke marijuana, according to Gallup, similar to the 16% found in 2022 but higher than the 11% to 13% range recorded from 2015 to 2021. Americans’ reported marijuana smoking has more than doubled since 2013, when Gallup first added the question in its annual Consumption Habits survey. That year, 7% said they did.

Age is a significant driver of the likelihood of smoking marijuana, the poll found. About a quarter of young adults, those aged 18 to 34, say they smoke marijuana (26%), with the number dropping to 18% among adults aged 35 to 54. Among adults aged 55 and older, 11% say they consume marijuana.

Marijuana usage varies across other demographic groups:

  • Men (19%) are more likely than women (14%) to use marijuana.
  • Democrats (22%) are more likely than Republicans (12%) to report smoking marijuana, with independents’ rate (17%) falling between them.

A separate question finds that half of adults (50%) say they have tried marijuana.

Gallup has also recorded a significant increase in the U.S. public’s support for the legalization of marijuana over the past six decades, rising from 12% in 1969 to 70% in 2023. Support in 2023 was 2% higher than it was in 2022 and 2021.

More information on this new poll can be found by clicking here.

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