Who buys all the weed in America?

A few decades ago, it seemed like this current phase of acceptance for marijuana and marijuana users would never end. The war on marijuana use was so strong back then that many different unfounded fears were created and passed on to others. Fortunately, a paradigm shift has taken place and we are gradually transitioning from the prohibition era into the legalization era. Many states legalize the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, although the federal government still classifies it as a Schedule 1 drug. This has continued to significantly increase the demographics of people smoking weed in the US over the years, with more to come.

While many are already on the train toward legalizing and accepting marijuana, there are still others who are concerned. This is because most of these people have held onto stereotypical views of cannabis users as addicted stoners looking for their next fix. The best way to change that perspective is to show the true picture of what cannabis is currently in the US. It will also be helpful to provide an in-depth analysis of who is currently smoking weed in the US. We will provide a breakdown by different demographics to show the extent of adoption.

According to data compiled by Gallup as of July 2022, 16% of Americans report smoking marijuana. This number is an increase from the range of 12-13% that was actively recorded between 2016 and 2021. This shows that the number of active cannabis users has increased steadily over the last 5 years. This effect can be attributed to the increased awareness of the medical benefits of cannabis. Likewise, the 2020 pandemic also contributed to this surge, as many resorted to marijuana use to calm themselves amid fears of the lockdown. This percentage of users affects different types of people in the country.

The common belief has always been that most cannabis users are ragged men or potheads washed up in an alleyway or basement. This cannot be further from the truth. A close look at data collected by Gallup reveals that 18 percent of men and 14 percent of women in the US smoke marijuana. That’s a number considering where we’re from.

A particular subset of women who are starting to increase these numbers are Gen Z women. This includes women born in 1997 or later, and marijuana use is rising sharply in this subgroup of women. A report by NBC News shows that sales of cannabis for Gen Z women increased by 151% year-on-year in 2020. This is the highest value for any cohort recorded during this period. It seems the future of cannabis is female, as noted by Brightfield Group CEO Bethany Gomez. The convenience and ease of sourcing marijuana from cannabis dispensaries, and the growing interest in using marijuana to treat anxiety and depression are sure to increase these numbers.

Cannabis has always been popular with the youth, it’s the baby boomers who are known for putting up a little resistance. The results of the data show that 30 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 use marijuana, while 16 percent of people between the ages of 35 and 54 use marijuana. Those aged 55 and older are also represented, as 7 percent of the population is recorded as a marijuana user. These stats are encouraging as they show more millennials are getting involved and not just leaving it to Gen Z. While many are quick to say that the number of over-55s is small, consider that just 10 years ago the figure was 0.4 percent. This can only mean that the societal view of cannabis and cannabis users in this group is gradually decreasing

The Gallup poll also looked for respondents’ political leanings to provide a picture of how cannabis use looks across political boundaries. As expected, Democrats lead the line for cannabis users with 20% using cannabis, followed by Independents at 17%, while Republicans also have good representation at 14%. Democrats have always been known to be generally positive about marijuana use, and this is becoming more evident when President Biden recently pardoned those convicted of felonies related to marijuana possession. Republicans are also involved, and that can mean some of their voices can be expected when it comes to legalization and voting.

Those who still classify all cannabis users as sedentary school dropouts couldn’t be more wrong. The Gallup poll shows that 12% of college graduates smoke cannabis, while 18% of non-college graduates enjoy the benefits of cannabis. This data helps disprove the view of some people that cannabis users suffer from a lack of motivation and easily lose sight of their goals and ambitions. Therefore, it’s safe to say that educational status is a decreasing barrier to the spread of marijuana use over time.

Cannabis has firmly established itself in the US and isn’t going anywhere, at least not any time soon. The breakdown of cannabis users in the US shows that almost every demographic is participating and enjoying the goodness of the natural product. The increase in medicinal use has also seen the acceptance of the herb in all circles, and it is expected that acceptance will only increase as time goes on.

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