More Americans Smoke Marijuana Daily Than Drink Alcohol, Poll Reveals

A recent poll conducted by YouGov reveals that more Americans smoke marijuana on a daily basis than consume alcohol every day. The survey, which polled 1,116 U.S. adults from June 7-10, found that 8 percent of adults use marijuana daily, compared to 5 percent who drink alcohol daily.

The findings also indicate that alcohol drinkers are nearly three times as likely to believe they would benefit from reducing their intake compared to marijuana consumers. Specifically, 30 percent of alcohol drinkers think they would be better off drinking less, while only 11 percent of marijuana users feel the same about their cannabis consumption.

Despite these trends, lifetime and monthly alcohol use remains more common than cannabis use. 84 percent of respondents reported having ever used alcohol, while 48 percent said they had tried marijuana. Monthly usage figures showed 41 percent of adults drink alcohol at least once a month, compared to 17 percent who use marijuana monthly.

Public opinion on the legality of these substances also varies. The poll found that 60 percent of adults believe marijuana use should be legal in the U.S., while 76 percent support the legality of alcohol consumption. Among those who have used either substance, 81 percent support legal alcohol, and 79 percent support legal marijuana.

The survey’s results align with other research, including a study published in the journal Addiction, which also found higher daily marijuana use compared to alcohol. Additionally, data from a Gallup survey last year revealed that Americans perceive marijuana as less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products.

Further studies suggest that marijuana legalization may influence consumer behavior. A Canadian study found that marijuana legalization led to a decline in beer sales, indicating a possible substitution effect. Meanwhile, multinational investment banks project that marijuana will continue to grow as a competitor to alcohol, with sales expected to reach $37 billion in the U.S. by 2027.

These findings highlight shifting attitudes and consumption patterns regarding marijuana and alcohol, as well as ongoing debates about their respective benefits and harms.