Cannabis is taking an increasingly prominent place in the daily lives of Americans. According to the latest figures from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2025 approximately 21,4 million Americans aged 12 and older used cannabis on at least 20 days per month. This means that frequent cannabis use now surpasses both alcohol and cigarettes.
From 17,7 to 21,4 million users
The development is moving fast. A historic threshold was already reached in 2022: at that time, 17,7 million Americans reported daily or nearly daily cannabis use, compared to 14,7 million people who drank alcohol with the same frequency.
The latest figures for 2025 show that that lead has grown further. The number of frequent cannabis users reached 21,4 million. For alcohol, there were approximately 17,2 million frequent users, and for cigarettes, 19,9 million daily smokers.
According to these figures, frequent cannabis use has increased by approximately 21 percent since 2021. During the same period, frequent alcohol use actually decreased by 24 percent and daily smoking by 28 percent.
Alcohol remains greater in total
This does not mean, however, that cannabis is now more popular than alcohol. When people who drink only occasionally are also included, the group of alcohol users remains much larger.
The difference lies primarily in the frequency. People who use cannabis do so relatively often on a daily or nearly daily basis. This trend was already evident in earlier research, in which cannabis use was tracked over a period of four decades.
Legalization changed the American cannabis market
The increase coincides with a major change in the position of cannabis in the United States. In a large number of states, medicinal and/or recreational cannabis is now permitted.
Researchers emphasize, however, that legalization does not automatically prove that it is responsible for the entire increase. Changing social acceptance, lower prices, and the willingness to report cannabis use honestly can also influence the figures.
At the same time, the increase in very frequent use raises new questions about dependence and the consequences of long-term intensive cannabis use.
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American drug and recreational substance culture is clearly changing. Alcohol is still used by many more people, but with daily or nearly daily use, cannabis has now overtaken both alcohol and cigarettes.
Whereas cannabis was still an occasional and illegal substance for many Americans a few decades ago, it is now part of the daily routine for millions of users.
Source: apnews.com
