Current:Home > BackDaily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US, a new study says-InfoLens
Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US, a new study says
View Date:2024-12-23 22:42:30
Daily and near-daily marijuana use is now more common than similar levels of drinking in the U.S., according to an analysis of national survey data over four decades.
Alcohol is still more widely used, but 2022 was the first time this intensive level of marijuana use overtook high-frequency drinking, said the study’s author, Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University.
“A good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use,” Caulkins said.
The research, based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, was published Wednesday in the journal Addiction. The survey is a highly regarded source of estimates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use in the United States.
In 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people used marijuana daily or near-daily compared to 14.7 million daily or near-daily drinkers, according to the study. From 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of reporting daily or near-daily marijuana use increased 15-fold.
The trend reflects changes in public policy. Most states now allow medical or recreational marijuana, though it remains illegal at the federal level. In November, Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment allowing recreational cannabis, and the federal government is moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
Research shows that high-frequency users are more likely to become addicted to marijuana, said Dr. David A. Gorelick, a psychiatry professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study.
The number of daily users suggests that more people are at risk for developing problematic cannabis use or addiction, Gorelick said.
“High frequency use also increases the risk of developing cannabis-associated psychosis,” a severe condition where a person loses touch with reality, he said.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (8128)
Related
- Olivia Munn began randomly drug testing John Mulaney during her first pregnancy
- Navy chopper crashes into San Diego Bay and all 6 crew members on board survive, Navy says
- Israel seeks dismissal of South Africa's case at U.N. court alleging genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
- Here's why Americans are so unhappy with the economy, in 3 charts
- Is Kyle Richards Finally Ready to File for Divorce From Mauricio Umansky? She Says...
- Mississippi’s capital is under a boil water order after E. coli bacteria is found in city’s supply
- Syria’s government extends permission for UN to bring aid through border crossing with Turkey
- Search underway for 3 people missing after avalanche hits Idaho back country
- NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Golden Globes Host Jo Koy Doubles Down on Intent Behind Taylor Swift Joke
Ranking
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- Syria’s government extends permission for UN to bring aid through border crossing with Turkey
- Patriots agree to hire Jerod Mayo has next head coach, Bill Belichick’s successor
- A frigid spell hits the Northwest as storm forecast cancels flights and classes across the US
- Taking stock of bonds: Does the 60/40 rule still have a role in retirement savings?
- DeSantis interrupted by three protesters at campaign stop days before Iowa caucuses
- AP Week in Pictures: Global | Jan 6-January 12, 2024
- Israel seeks dismissal of South Africa's case at U.N. court alleging genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
Recommendation
-
Bitcoin has topped $87,000 for a new record high. What to know about crypto’s post-election rally
-
Marvin Harrison's Ohio State football career is over as star receiver enters NFL draft
-
A frigid spell hits the Northwest as storm forecast cancels flights and classes across the US
-
What to know about the abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II
-
Wildfire map: Thousands of acres burn near New Jersey-New York border; 1 firefighter dead
-
US Navy helicopter crew survives crash into ocean in Southern California
-
Lily-Rose Depp Celebrates First Dating Anniversary With Girlfriend 070 Shake
-
Argentina’s annual inflation soars to 211.4%, the highest in 32 years