A new study has found that Americans are changing their consumption habits, with more people using marijuana every day than consuming alcohol.
The new report came from an analysis of national survey data and it found that in 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people reported using marijuana daily or near daily, compared to 14.7 million who said the same for alcohol.
The shift comes as almost half of U.S. states have legalized recreational marijuana, and 70% of Americans think it should be legalized federally, according to Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits survey.
For reference, that number was just 12% in 1969.
While the report shares that alcohol is still more widely used overall, researchers noted that it was the first time marijuana use daily or near-daily overtook those who drink just as frequently.
Kris Krane, a senior contributor for Forbes on the cannabis industry and the Director of Cannabis at KCSA Strategic Communications, joined KCBS radio to share more on this trend, noting that the increase may be from one demographic that would surprise people.
“We absolutely have seen an increase in folks who use cannabis and use it regularly,” Krane said. “Particularly among older populations, many of whom are using it for sleep, for medical purposes, or to substitute their previous alcohol use for something that is safer and easier for the body to handle.”
The study did not specify whether users were taking marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, but with almost all states allowing it medically — nine still do not — usage is certain to rise.
Still, Krane stressed that as society starts to accept marijuana more, usage can only go up, especially on self-reported surveys like this one.
Krane also added that usage could go up as more people look for alternatives to alcohol.
“I think if you’re talking about a street substitution effect, there’s no doubt that the use of cannabis, or folks using cannabis as opposed to alcohol, is a net positive for both themselves and, I would say, society at large,” he said. “So absolutely it is…. Alcohol is quite literally a poison.”