Gallup Poll Reveals Half of U.S. Adults Have Tried Marijuana

A new Gallup poll on cannabis use shows that, for the first time in the survey’s 50-year history, about half of all U.S. adults have admitted to trying marijuana at least once in their lives.

Steady Increase Over Recent Years

Over the past five years, the poll has shown a noticeable increase in the percentage of Americans who say they have tried marijuana. In 2021, 48% of adults reported having tried it. This number rose to 49% in 2022, and according to the latest data, it has now officially surpassed the 50% mark.

Historical Trends

The sharp rise in this figure began in 2012, when Colorado became the first state to announce plans to legalize recreational marijuana. Within just five years, the percentage of adults who had tried marijuana jumped from 38% to 45%. For comparison, when Gallup first asked this question in 1969, only about 4% of U.S. adults admitted to having tried marijuana. By 1977, despite stricter criminalization under President Nixon, the figure had reached 24%. In 1985, it climbed to 33%, but growth slowed over the next 30 years, peaking at 38-39% around 2012-2013. After that, as more states reformed their laws, the number began to rise sharply again.

Demographic Differences

The poll also revealed differences based on gender, age, and political affiliation:

• Gender: 53% of men and 44% of women said they have tried marijuana at least once.
• Age: 51% of adults aged 35-54 reported having tried marijuana, the highest rate ever for this group. Among those aged 18-34, 49% said they had tried it, while 47% of adults aged 55 and older reported the same.
• Political Affiliation: The largest gap was seen here. 57% of Democrats, regardless of age or other factors, said they had tried marijuana. Among independents, the figure was 52%, while only 39% of Republicans reported personal experience with marijuana.

Support for Legalization at an All-Time High

The poll also found record-high support for full legalization. In 1969, only 12% of U.S. adults supported legalizing marijuana nationwide. By 2023, that number had soared to 68%. Currently, marijuana is fully legal in 23 states, while medical marijuana is legal in 38 states.