Study: Daily Cannabis Use Exceeds Daily Drinking in US

Facts

• A study published Wednesday in the journal Addiction says that as of 2022 more Americans self-reported daily cannabis use than reported drinking alcohol on a daily or near-daily basis.¹
• While alcohol is still the more widely used substance, 2022 marked the first time it was eclipsed in terms of daily consumption. Lead author Jonathan Caulkins reported that 40% of cannabis users admitted to being daily or near-daily users.²
• Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study finds that 17.7M Americans used cannabis every day, compared to 14.7M daily drinkers, with a 15-fold increase in daily cannabis use since 1992.³
• Caulkins says that the pattern of use for cannabis users is 'more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use.' While the drug is still illegal federally, most states have relaxed their restrictions on marijuana.⁴
• High-frequency drinking has also grown less common, with the median drinker consuming the drug four to five days a month on average. Median cannabis users report using it 15-16 days a month.³
• This news comes as the White House has plans to reschedule marijuana as a less dangerous drug.⁵

Sources: ¹wiley.com, ²Associated Press, ³thehill.com, ⁴US News & World Report and ⁵NBC.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by USA Today. In addition to its growing societal acceptance, cannabis is generally less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, which makes legal marijuana a public health victory. It's time to end the war on cannabis and bring policy in line with the public desire for legalization.
• Right narrative, as provided by New York Times. Cannabis' risk to mental health and addiction is still unclear and its proliferation as a legal substance is nothing to celebrate. Daily use could be a huge risk factor for schizophrenia and other disorders. We need far more research before we proceed with expanding access to this drug.

Predictions