So many Americans now think cannabis has a positive impact on society

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Ten years after Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize cannabis for adult use, a lot has changed. Many Americans now believe that cannabis has had an overall positive impact on society, not only in terms of health but also in creating quality jobs nationally and locally.

That’s according to the findings of the latest Pollfish survey. The survey also found that more than half of those surveyed tried legal cannabis for the first time last year.

Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels

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. More than half (61.5%) of respondents also believe that cannabis plays a crucial role in driving 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.

smoking marijuanaPhoto by Inside Creative House/Getty Images

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, 26.1% of these non-users say they only want to try cannabis for medical reasons, while 15% would try it for recreational reasons and 23.4% say they would try it for stress management.

10% and 8% of non-users also affirmed that 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.

RELATED: What are Americans’ views on cannabis in general? New poll revealed

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.

RELATED: Poll: Seniors in pain want to try cannabis, but this is holding them back

Jim Cacioppo, the founder and CEO of Jushi Holdings, who commissioned the study, claimed that more and more Americans have been venturing 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

About a third (30.7%) of those who use cannabis said they use it 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 widely used for pain control in the United States. However, while cannabis is not strong enough for serious pain (e.g. a broken bone), 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.

medical marijuanaPhoto by Esther Kelleter/EyeEm/Getty Images

RELATED: How men and women use cannabis, according to a new survey

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.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

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