In a remarkable turn of events, the United States has witnessed a shift in societal habits over the past four decades, with daily marijuana consumption now surpassing daily alcohol consumption for the first time in history.
Based on a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, there has been a significant increase in the number of Americans who use marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis. Surprisingly, this group now surpasses those who consume alcohol daily or near-daily.
According to an analysis of national survey data, in 2022, approximately 17.7 million people reported using marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis, while 14.7 million individuals reported consuming alcohol daily or almost every day.
In 1992, the number of individuals reporting near-daily marijuana consumption was less than 1 million, which was an all-time low. However, the current situation is quite different.
According to Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, it is worth noting that in 2022, the frequency of daily marijuana use exceeded that of daily alcohol consumption, even though alcohol is still more commonly consumed overall.
Caulkins points out that a considerable number of current cannabis users, around 40%, use it on a daily or almost daily basis, which is more similar to tobacco use than typical alcohol consumption.
The research, utilising data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, offers valuable insights into changing consumption patterns in the United States.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, provides valuable insights into the changing patterns of substance use. It emphasises the importance of adopting nuanced strategies in public health and policy to effectively address these evolving trends.
As society’s views on marijuana continue to change, driven by its growing legalisation and acceptance, it becomes more important to understand how people use it.
This study highlights the intricate relationship between substance use, societal norms, and public health. It encourages further investigation into the effects of changing consumption patterns on individual behaviour and overall public health outcomes.
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