Cannabis is more popular than cigarettes and has a more positive public image than alcohol, according to the results of recent Gallup polls.
Released on August 16, 2022, the poll was conducted over a two week period during the month of July. Its results show that more Americans smoke cannabis than cigarettes. A separate poll shows that 3 in 4 Americans believe that alcohol negatively affects society. Comparatively, 66% of cannabis users and 27% of people who have never used cannabis believe it has a very positive or somewhat positive effect on society.
As research provides more information about cannabis, attitudes about the plant, its usage, and whether it should be legalized continue to improve. Although not everyone favors legalization, many people have shifted their views about marijuana in the years following legalization.
More people admit to using cannabis at least once during their lifetime, while many more admit they use cannabis on a regular basis. While views over cannabis are still split almost evenly down the middle, we’ve made considerable progress over the years, which can mean only great things for generations to come.
11% of poll respondents smoke tobacco
48% of Americans say they’ve tried cannabis at least once, 16% consume regularly
Cannabis Use in the U.S.
Approximately 48% of Americans say they’ve tried cannabis at least once while 16% admit they smoke or consume regularly. In 2021, only 12% of poll respondents admitted to cannabis use. Compared to 1969, when only 4% of poll respondents admitted to ever trying cannabis, it’s safe to say we’ve come a long way in changing attitudes.
More exciting is that 53% of poll respondents say they believe cannabis positively affects users. Now that cannabis is legal in states across the country, research allows more information into the ears of people who otherwise would not give it the time of day.
With fewer risks involving cannabis possession, more people are willing to give it a try.
It is now legal in some capacity in 38 of the 50 U.S. states. Even states where it is not legal have taken steps toward decriminalizing it, meaning people caught with small quantities of the plant aren’t taken to jail. Without the fear of jail riding their backs, people are more willing to try marijuana than ever before.
The number of cannabis smokers in the U.S. is the highest it’s been since Gallup began asking this question back in 2013. So too has the number of people who feel that marijuana legalization is a good idea. Approximately 68% of poll respondents said they feel like cannabis should be legal. Millennials seem to have the biggest impact on the changing views toward marijuana.
Interestingly, 21% of people polled in a separate survey by Pew Research said although they do not approve of marijuana legalization, they have changed their mind and attitudes toward cannabis consumers and the cannabis plant after learning more information about its benefits and exactly how it affects its users.
Cigarette Use in the U.S.
Attitudes toward cigarette use have also shifted. These days, more people view smoking cigarettes as “very harmful” or “slightly harmful” to their health. Of those who currently smoke cigarettes, 91% said they wish they had never started and want to kick the habit.
More than 60 years of research tells us that consuming tobacco carries with it a plethora of potential health risks and dangers. Smoking cigarettes has short and long-term risks including emphysema and lung cancer.
Along with its plethora of health risks, smoking also has a bad odor that lingers on clothing and inside of homes and cars. It causes bad breath and damages our teeth. Smoking can impact our lives in many ways we do not consider.
Cigarette use has significantly declined in the past decade. In 2022, only 11% of Americans say they smoke cigarettes while in the 1950s, an astonishing 45% of Americans smoked cigarettes. There has been a 5% change in the number of cigarette smokers since 2021 when 16% of those polled admitted they used tobacco.
Attitudes Toward Alcohol Remain Steady
Although attitudes concerning tobacco and cannabis have shifted over the years, attitudes toward alcohol remain steady. The number of Americans who say they drink has increased.
In 2022, 67% of Americans reported they drink alcohol while in 1939, only 63% of people said they consumed alcohol. The poll further concluded that ⅓ of Americans refrain from alcohol altogether.
Despite the number of Americans who consume alcohol, more people say they think people should switch to cannabis than people who think using marijuana is a bad idea. Gallup Research conducted this poll in March 2022.
Despite thoughts that alcohol is safe in moderation, research tells us otherwise.
Even one glass of red wine can carry toxicity to the brain. The SPECT test measures brain activity in individuals who drink three drinks or more per week and found negative effects on the brain. That’s not the only disadvantage of alcohol consumption.
Heavy drinking can lead to numerous problems including a weakened immune system, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and certain types of cancer. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 5.8% of all cancer-related deaths.
Some drinkers inadvertently find themselves unable to stop drinking and develop alcoholism, a serious disease affecting 1 in 12 men and 1 in 16 women, or 6% of the U.S. population.
Subsequently, heavy drinking also raises the risk of serious accidents, including car crashes. A 2015 study published by the journal Lancet showed that people who consume alcohol are more likely to seriously injure themselves.
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the health disadvantages of alcohol, the average person seems to overlook the findings. In 2020, 86% of Americans said they viewed alcohol as morally acceptable, compared to only 70% who said they viewed marijuana in the same manner. Religion seems to play a role in these numbers with more religious individuals disproving of marijuana in any capacity.
Why do People Support or Oppose Cannabis?
What are the reasons behind support and opposition for marijuana legalization? The reasons differ among age groups, genders, and states.
Its potential medical value is the number one reason people support cannabis legalization. Opponents’ biggest argument against cannabis legalization is the risk of more people driving their vehicle impaired, which results in more car accidents – despite their support for alcohol, which clearly accounts for thousands of car crashes across the country every single year. Every day, in the United States, an average of 32 people die in car crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver.
Other reasons why people support cannabis legalization include:
Free up law enforcement to handle other more serious crimes
It is a matter of freedom and personal choice, and a person has a right to choose to use
Government regulation could make cannabis safer for the consumer
Beneficial to government funding
Do not believe cannabis poses any health risks
People who oppose cannabis legalization have their own reasons as well. A few common reasons for opposition:
Lead to using harder drugs
Lead to more marijuana users
Cannabis doesn’t benefit society as a whole
Cannabis is harmful
Cannabis is immoral
Legal THC Consumption Options
People interested in trying Delta-9 THC have more options to do so today than ever before. Along with getting a dose of THC from smoking the tried and true cannabis flower, consumers have a range of products available that gives them the same awesome high in a more discreet or easier to consume version.
The range of cannabis products takes some of the harshness off of cannabis for those who may view it as ‘wrong’ for one reason or another. They are perfect when maintaining discreteness is important as well. There is no smell and you can enjoy them any time.
The versatility of cannabis products certainly has contributed to the change in attitude toward marijuana.
Brownies, coffee, cola, extract, and gummies are popular THC products available. These products are perfect for newcomers, regular consumers looking for different effects from THC, and people who may still have some reservations about cannabis or people aren’t ready to be open about their cannabis usage.
Flower: Flower, or bud as it’s called sometimes, is the preferred method of cannabis for many consumers. Flower can be smoked by rolling it into a joint or blunt, placing it into a bong or bowl, or even vaped. Flower isn’t the most discreet cannabis option, but it is packed with taste and flavor and a punch that takes consumers to the next mental level.
Edibles: With edibles, you can eat your way to high. Delicious edibles such as chocolate chip cookies and brownies treat your sweet tooth as they send you to the moon and back. The treats are packed with THC and THCa which does take longer to hit you than if you consumed flower, but only about 15 to 20 minutes. Drinks such as coffee and cola also contain cannabinoids designed to make you feel right. Edibles are discreet, too!
Extract: Cannabis extract is the most potent form of THC available. It is sometimes referred to as a concentrate. Users note that using very little extract gives them an amazing high feeling. Users can consume edibles with special tools such as a vape pen or a tool called a Honey Straw.
Vape: Vaping is popular amongst cannabis consumers. You need a special vape pen to vape THC cannabis. Vapes for both flower and extract are available for purchase. Many people prefer vaping marijuana because there is less smell and many claim the high is more intense.
Cannabis Options in States Without Legal Marijuana
We are still waiting on legal cannabis in several states. These states currently criminally punish anyone found in possession of cannabis, which could mean serious time behind bars, probation, or other trouble that no one wants to deal with.
Everyone wants to enjoy cannabis the way nature intended, but jail time as an afterthought doesn’t appeal to the average person. That isn’t to say some people aren’t still using cannabis in non-legal states – they are – but it is much scarier using cannabis knowing the risks.
Until these states wake up and legalize marijuana, people living in states without legal cannabis can enjoy one of the other cannabinoids derived from the plant without the fear of going to jail or losing their job.
We now make use of many of the 119 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Commercial usage of many of these cannabinoids is now possible as well. Many of the cannabinoids mimic the effects of Delta-9 THC, although many are federally legal in states without legal cannabis.
If you live in a state without legal cannabis or aren’t sure if it’s right for you, first try a product or two from the legal line of cannabinoids.
CBD
CBD, or Cannabinol, remains the most popular cannabinoid product legally sold in the U.S. It is derived from the hemp plant but does not contain more than 0.3% THC. It does not cause a high feeling after ingesting and does not show up on a drug panel. You can find CBD and hydroponic flower, topicals and tinctures, drinks, gummies, and other products sold everywhere from online shops to dispensaries to gas station corner markets.
If you’re looking for a powerful THC-like punch, invest in Delta-8 THC. This psychoactive compound is pretty similar to Delta-9 THC. The biggest difference between the two is its chemical structure. As a result, Delta-8 THC is less potent than the real thing. With the right product, like Delta-8 THC raw hemp extract, many users cannot tell the difference between the two.
THCa is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in type 1 cannabis plant’s. Before it’s heated, THCa is often used in juicing as some people think it’s in the same category of superfood as quinoa and kale.
When heated, THCa converts to THC, and provides users with the same ample feelings of contentment, happiness, euphoria and relaxation. It’s slightly less potent than THC but it’s legal across the states. Choose from flower, extracts, and many other THCa products for your pleasure.
HHC users enjoy a feeling similar to that of ingesting THC, only slightly less potent. Users describe it as in the middle of Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC. It is lab-created through a hydrogenation process. The semi-synthetic cannabinoid may not show up on a drug test and is federally legal in the U.S.
We still have a lot of miles to travel before more people realize that cannabis isn’t the bad guy and change their attitudes about the plant. But we’re on that road and well on the way to a world filled with individuals who clearly see how beneficial cannabis can be for the majority of Americans, and the rest of the world.
Cannabis Is More Popular Than Cigarettes And Positively Viewed Than Alcohol
Cannabis is more popular than cigarettes and has a more positive public image than alcohol, according to the results of recent Gallup polls.
Released on August 16, 2022, the poll was conducted over a two week period during the month of July. Its results show that more Americans smoke cannabis than cigarettes. A separate poll shows that 3 in 4 Americans believe that alcohol negatively affects society. Comparatively, 66% of cannabis users and 27% of people who have never used cannabis believe it has a very positive or somewhat positive effect on society.
As research provides more information about cannabis, attitudes about the plant, its usage, and whether it should be legalized continue to improve. Although not everyone favors legalization, many people have shifted their views about marijuana in the years following legalization.
More people admit to using cannabis at least once during their lifetime, while many more admit they use cannabis on a regular basis. While views over cannabis are still split almost evenly down the middle, we’ve made considerable progress over the years, which can mean only great things for generations to come.
Cannabis Use in the U.S.
Approximately 48% of Americans say they’ve tried cannabis at least once while 16% admit they smoke or consume regularly. In 2021, only 12% of poll respondents admitted to cannabis use. Compared to 1969, when only 4% of poll respondents admitted to ever trying cannabis, it’s safe to say we’ve come a long way in changing attitudes.
More exciting is that 53% of poll respondents say they believe cannabis positively affects users. Now that cannabis is legal in states across the country, research allows more information into the ears of people who otherwise would not give it the time of day.
With fewer risks involving cannabis possession, more people are willing to give it a try.
It is now legal in some capacity in 38 of the 50 U.S. states. Even states where it is not legal have taken steps toward decriminalizing it, meaning people caught with small quantities of the plant aren’t taken to jail. Without the fear of jail riding their backs, people are more willing to try marijuana than ever before.
The number of cannabis smokers in the U.S. is the highest it’s been since Gallup began asking this question back in 2013. So too has the number of people who feel that marijuana legalization is a good idea. Approximately 68% of poll respondents said they feel like cannabis should be legal. Millennials seem to have the biggest impact on the changing views toward marijuana.
Interestingly, 21% of people polled in a separate survey by Pew Research said although they do not approve of marijuana legalization, they have changed their mind and attitudes toward cannabis consumers and the cannabis plant after learning more information about its benefits and exactly how it affects its users.
Cigarette Use in the U.S.
Attitudes toward cigarette use have also shifted. These days, more people view smoking cigarettes as “very harmful” or “slightly harmful” to their health. Of those who currently smoke cigarettes, 91% said they wish they had never started and want to kick the habit.
More than 60 years of research tells us that consuming tobacco carries with it a plethora of potential health risks and dangers. Smoking cigarettes has short and long-term risks including emphysema and lung cancer.
Along with its plethora of health risks, smoking also has a bad odor that lingers on clothing and inside of homes and cars. It causes bad breath and damages our teeth. Smoking can impact our lives in many ways we do not consider.
Cigarette use has significantly declined in the past decade. In 2022, only 11% of Americans say they smoke cigarettes while in the 1950s, an astonishing 45% of Americans smoked cigarettes. There has been a 5% change in the number of cigarette smokers since 2021 when 16% of those polled admitted they used tobacco.
Attitudes Toward Alcohol Remain Steady
Although attitudes concerning tobacco and cannabis have shifted over the years, attitudes toward alcohol remain steady. The number of Americans who say they drink has increased.
In 2022, 67% of Americans reported they drink alcohol while in 1939, only 63% of people said they consumed alcohol. The poll further concluded that ⅓ of Americans refrain from alcohol altogether.
Despite the number of Americans who consume alcohol, more people say they think people should switch to cannabis than people who think using marijuana is a bad idea. Gallup Research conducted this poll in March 2022.
Despite thoughts that alcohol is safe in moderation, research tells us otherwise.
Even one glass of red wine can carry toxicity to the brain. The SPECT test measures brain activity in individuals who drink three drinks or more per week and found negative effects on the brain. That’s not the only disadvantage of alcohol consumption.
Heavy drinking can lead to numerous problems including a weakened immune system, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and certain types of cancer. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 5.8% of all cancer-related deaths.
Some drinkers inadvertently find themselves unable to stop drinking and develop alcoholism, a serious disease affecting 1 in 12 men and 1 in 16 women, or 6% of the U.S. population.
Subsequently, heavy drinking also raises the risk of serious accidents, including car crashes. A 2015 study published by the journal Lancet showed that people who consume alcohol are more likely to seriously injure themselves.
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the health disadvantages of alcohol, the average person seems to overlook the findings. In 2020, 86% of Americans said they viewed alcohol as morally acceptable, compared to only 70% who said they viewed marijuana in the same manner. Religion seems to play a role in these numbers with more religious individuals disproving of marijuana in any capacity.
Why do People Support or Oppose Cannabis?
What are the reasons behind support and opposition for marijuana legalization? The reasons differ among age groups, genders, and states.
Its potential medical value is the number one reason people support cannabis legalization. Opponents’ biggest argument against cannabis legalization is the risk of more people driving their vehicle impaired, which results in more car accidents – despite their support for alcohol, which clearly accounts for thousands of car crashes across the country every single year. Every day, in the United States, an average of 32 people die in car crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver.
Other reasons why people support cannabis legalization include:
People who oppose cannabis legalization have their own reasons as well. A few common reasons for opposition:
Legal THC Consumption Options
People interested in trying Delta-9 THC have more options to do so today than ever before. Along with getting a dose of THC from smoking the tried and true cannabis flower, consumers have a range of products available that gives them the same awesome high in a more discreet or easier to consume version.
The range of cannabis products takes some of the harshness off of cannabis for those who may view it as ‘wrong’ for one reason or another. They are perfect when maintaining discreteness is important as well. There is no smell and you can enjoy them any time.
The versatility of cannabis products certainly has contributed to the change in attitude toward marijuana.
Brownies, coffee, cola, extract, and gummies are popular THC products available. These products are perfect for newcomers, regular consumers looking for different effects from THC, and people who may still have some reservations about cannabis or people aren’t ready to be open about their cannabis usage.
Cannabis Options in States Without Legal Marijuana
We are still waiting on legal cannabis in several states. These states currently criminally punish anyone found in possession of cannabis, which could mean serious time behind bars, probation, or other trouble that no one wants to deal with.
Everyone wants to enjoy cannabis the way nature intended, but jail time as an afterthought doesn’t appeal to the average person. That isn’t to say some people aren’t still using cannabis in non-legal states – they are – but it is much scarier using cannabis knowing the risks.
Until these states wake up and legalize marijuana, people living in states without legal cannabis can enjoy one of the other cannabinoids derived from the plant without the fear of going to jail or losing their job.
We now make use of many of the 119 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Commercial usage of many of these cannabinoids is now possible as well. Many of the cannabinoids mimic the effects of Delta-9 THC, although many are federally legal in states without legal cannabis.
If you live in a state without legal cannabis or aren’t sure if it’s right for you, first try a product or two from the legal line of cannabinoids.
CBD
CBD, or Cannabinol, remains the most popular cannabinoid product legally sold in the U.S. It is derived from the hemp plant but does not contain more than 0.3% THC. It does not cause a high feeling after ingesting and does not show up on a drug panel. You can find CBD and hydroponic flower, topicals and tinctures, drinks, gummies, and other products sold everywhere from online shops to dispensaries to gas station corner markets.
Delta-8 THC
If you’re looking for a powerful THC-like punch, invest in Delta-8 THC. This psychoactive compound is pretty similar to Delta-9 THC. The biggest difference between the two is its chemical structure. As a result, Delta-8 THC is less potent than the real thing. With the right product, like Delta-8 THC raw hemp extract, many users cannot tell the difference between the two.
THCa
THCa is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in type 1 cannabis plant’s. Before it’s heated, THCa is often used in juicing as some people think it’s in the same category of superfood as quinoa and kale.
When heated, THCa converts to THC, and provides users with the same ample feelings of contentment, happiness, euphoria and relaxation. It’s slightly less potent than THC but it’s legal across the states. Choose from flower, extracts, and many other THCa products for your pleasure.
HHC
HHC users enjoy a feeling similar to that of ingesting THC, only slightly less potent. Users describe it as in the middle of Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC. It is lab-created through a hydrogenation process. The semi-synthetic cannabinoid may not show up on a drug test and is federally legal in the U.S.
Browse our store for the latest in HHC products. We carry some of the most potent products currently available.
We still have a lot of miles to travel before more people realize that cannabis isn’t the bad guy and change their attitudes about the plant. But we’re on that road and well on the way to a world filled with individuals who clearly see how beneficial cannabis can be for the majority of Americans, and the rest of the world.