For the first time in history, marijuana has overtaken traditional cigarettes in popularity among American adults. According to a new Gallup poll, 15% of U.S. adults reported using cannabis, whereas only 11% admitted to smoking tobacco in the past week.
Gallup’s data highlights that this 15% figure is in line with the average from 2021–2022, reflecting a steady rise in marijuana use over recent years.
Demographic Breakdown
Men are more likely to consume cannabis than women, with usage rates of 17% versus 11%. Age also plays a key role: 19% of individuals aged 18–34 use marijuana, followed by 18% of those between 35–54, while only 10% of people over 55 report consuming it.
Historical Shifts
Marijuana use among U.S. adults has more than doubled over the past decade. The survey, which relies on a two-year rolling average for accuracy, does not specify how cannabis is consumed—whether through smoking, vaping, or edibles.
Lifetime Usage Trends
Gallup’s long-term data shows that nearly half (47%) of American adults have tried marijuana at least once. This number has risen dramatically since 1969, when only 4% admitted to experimenting with cannabis. By 1977, it had surged to 24%, reaching 33% in 1985 and remaining below 40% until 2015. Today, it is just shy of 50%.
This shift reflects evolving societal attitudes and growing acceptance of marijuana, influenced by legal reforms and cultural changes.