According to a new survey, the majority of Americans believe that marijuana is less detrimental to health than tobacco and alcohol. According to the YouGov poll, 64% of participants believe that regular alcohol consumption is riskier than marijuana use, and 63% believe that regular tobacco use is also riskier. The survey conducted from April 5–8, 2024, involved 1,148 adults.
Contrastingly, only a small fraction — 14% — believes that cannabis usage poses a greater threat than regular alcohol consumption. Additionally, 16% of participants stated that marijuana is more detrimental than tobacco. In total, 53% of those surveyed indicated that both tobacco and alcohol are more detrimental to health than cannabis.
These findings align with other recent surveys, such as one conducted by Gallup, which revealed that Americans generally perceive cannabis as less detrimental than cigarettes, alcohol and vaping. Moreover, the survey noted that marijuana use has overtaken cigarette consumption in the United States while vaping is currently behind both.
Similarly, a JAMA poll published last year indicated a shift in public perception, with more people considering smoking cannabis or secondhand marijuana smoke exposure as safer compared to tobacco smoke.
The YouGov poll also revealed that a significant majority of Americans — 62% — support marijuana legalization. This sentiment cuts across political affiliations, with 46% of Republicans, 67% of independents and 71% of Democrats expressing support for legalization.
Regarding usage patterns, 56% admitted to trying cannabis in their lifetime, with 24% reporting consumption within the past year and 17% within the last 30 days. Among those who consumed marijuana in the past year, 24% used it several times daily, 11% used it once daily and 20% used it occasionally.
According to the survey, smoking bud or flower was the most popular (61%) form of use among those who have tried cannabis or CBD. Furthermore, if cannabis were to be legalized countrywide, 67% of nonusers stated that they would keep abstaining. Another 14% expressed uncertainty about trying it, while 6% said they likely would, and 2% said they certainly would.
Meanwhile, another recent survey revealed that more than one-half of the adult population was surprised by the fact that cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States.
Furthermore, a Pew Research Center survey found that 90% of Americans support the legalization of cannabis for either medical or recreational purposes. Most respondents stated that legalization enhances equity in the criminal justice system and helps the local economy.
As perceptions toward marijuana keep changing, cannabis companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) could see their clientele growing in the different markets in which they have operations.
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