According to a new poll, over 60% of Americans believe cannabis has a positive impact on society

Ten years after Washington and Colorado were the first states to take the initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use, a lot has changed. A decade ago, Washington and Colorado took this initiative after passing Initiative 502 and Amendment 64, respectively. Thanks to this move, many Americans now believe that cannabis has had a generally positive impact on society.

Many believe these impacts on health and quality job creation have been significant, both nationally and locally. This is according to the results of the latest Pollfish survey published on April 18, 2022. The survey also found that more than half of those surveyed had tried legal cannabis for the first time in the past year.

For the survey, a total of 1,100 Americans aged 21 and over were asked about their opinions on cannabis. Each respondent was asked to share their thoughts on marijuana, its legalization, and their consumption habits. At the end of the survey, around two-thirds of respondents strongly believe that cannabis has an overall positive impact on society. 61.5% of respondents also believe that cannabis plays a crucial role in boosting economic growth in the United States.

About 62% also believed that the cannabis industry is very important to the local economy. A total of 67.6% of respondents also affirmed that federal banking restrictions should be lifted to allow American cannabis companies access to finance and banking services.

It’s also important to note that of the 1,100 respondents, only 43% lived in states where cannabis is legal for adult use. On the other hand, 22% lived in states where cannabis is completely banned, and 26% lived in states where cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes only.

Among those surveyed, more than half (67%) had purchased cannabis legally, and 31% reported using the herb for medicinal purposes. 16% reported use for recreational purposes, 22% for stress, 10% for wellness, and 13% for sleep. A total of 55% of the respondents also stated that they had tried cannabis for the first time since last year. Another 40% of respondents reported using cannabis once or twice a week.

Some respondents said they had never tried cannabis. About 21% said they had no interest in using cannabis, while 33% had never used cannabis legally. However, 24% of these non-users say they only try cannabis for medical reasons, while 15% would try it for recreational reasons, and 21% say it would try it for stress management. 10% and 8% of non-users also said they would try cannabis for wellness and sleep purposes. A larger percentage of non-consumers also say they would like to try edible products first.

This survey was conducted between March 17 and March 30, 2022 on behalf of Jushi Holdings. The entire survey was also overseen by Associate Professor at ArtCenter, Jushi Experience Director, Futurist and Interaction Designer, Julian Scaff.

Among key findings, the survey reflected the level of support for cannabis legalization across the political arena. Respondents who identified as Independent (24.0%), Republican (25.4%), Democrat (33.4%) and Other (4.8%) were asked if they would support candidates for legalization, and about 60% gave a positive answer.

The poll also found that three in four Americans think the Department of Veterans Affairs should review its policies. They believe the new policy should allow veterans access to cannabis for medicinal purposes based on a doctor’s prescription.

Jim Cacioppo, Jushi’s founder and CEO, commented on the results, claiming that more Americans have ventured into the legal cannabis market. He reiterated that this is possible thanks to the legalization of recreational cannabis 10 years ago. He went on to say that this movement into the legal cannabis market has changed people’s perceptions of marijuana and the industry in general.

According to Jim, the rise of quality jobs and the social and economic benefits of the regulated marketplace are obviously resonating with Americans. As such, he believes that the current trend will only increase and amplify over time as more and more people embrace cannabis.

medicine first

When it comes to cannabis consumption, medicinal use is the main reason people choose to use the herb. According to the survey, more than one water non-marijuana user said the reason they would try it was for medicinal use. The report also indicates that the majority have chosen edibles as the cannabis product to try first.

About a third of those who use cannabis say it was for medicinal purposes, with an average use of once or twice a week. The survey found that most cannabis products are consumed in the evening.

Prior to the survey, it was noted that cannabis was commonly used for pain control in the United States. However, while cannabis is not strong enough for serious pain (e.g. broken bones), it is very effective for mild pain. In fact, many Americans prefer to use cannabis medicinally over opiates because it is less addictive and cannot be overdosed.

Apparently, marijuana has been shown to be effective in relieving nerve pain and pain associated with multiple sclerosis. Many patients have claimed that cannabis helps reduce pain and allows them to carry out daily activities without feeling overwhelmed. Similarly, cannabis also serves as a muscle relaxant and people have attested to its effectiveness in reducing the tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Several reports have also claimed the use of marijuana in the treatment of interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and other conditions accompanied by chronic pain. Cannabis is also used in the treatment of weight loss, nausea and glaucoma.

Conclusion

As the survey suggests, the positive impacts of cannabis on society are significant, and more are expected to follow. One current interesting research is the use of cannabis in the treatment of PTSD veterans returning from the other combat zone. For this reason, many now advocate that the Department of Veterans Affairs should review its policy to allow veterans access to cannabis for medicinal purposes.

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