Study: Daily Cannabis Use Exceeds Daily Drinking in the US
Study: Daily Cannabis Use Exceeds Daily Drinking in the US
The Facts
A study published in the journal Addiction on Wednesday has that found more Americans self-report using cannabis on a daily basis than Americans that report drinking on a daily or near-daily basis as of 2022.
A study published in the journal Addiction on Wednesday has found that more Americans self-report using cannabis on a daily basis than Americans that report drinking on a daily or near-daily basis as of 2022.
The Spin
It is growing ever more clear that the days of weed prohibition are numbered, as societal acceptance of the drug continues to grow. While still technically illegal, the public's use of the substance will make legalization inevitable. Cannabis is also a drug generally less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, which makes legal weed a public health victory as well. It is time to finally end the war on weed and bring policy in line with the public desire for legalization.
It is no cause for celebration that the most problematic form of cannabis use has exploded. The US is heading into unchartered territory as legal cannabis proliferates nationwide, and the drug's relation to psychosis, youth mental health, and addiction is still unclear. Daily use is a huge risk factor for schizophrenia, with millions of Americans being said to have marijuana use disorder. We need far more research before we proceed with expanding access to this drug.
