U.S. Daily Marijuana Use Tops Alcohol and Cigarettes, SAMHSA Data Shows

Data from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), indicate that 21.4 million U.S. adults use marijuana daily or near‑daily. This exceeds the 17.2 million daily alcohol users and the 19.9 million daily cigarette smokers.

Daily cannabis use first surpassed daily drinking in 2022 and grew by about 22 % from 2021 to 2025, with an increase of roughly 2.8 million users between 2021 and 2022. The highest prevalence is among 18‑ to 25‑year‑olds (about 8.4 million), while use is also rising among adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Alcohol remains the most widely consumed substance overall, with 129.1 million past‑month users and 44 % reporting binge drinking.

The shift coincides with expanding legal access: 41 states allow medical marijuana and 24 permit recreational use. Experts note the trend raises public‑health concerns, especially as THC potency in products continues to increase.