Cannabis Use Hits Record Highs, Alcohol Use Falls
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
Key Takeaways
- About 1-in-10 young Americans now report daily or near-daily cannabis use.
- Frequent cannabis use has surged alongside legalization trends, while daily alcohol use has gradually declined over the last three decades.
Cannabis use has officially overtaken alcohol consumption among young Americans on a daily basis, marking a major shift in U.S. consumption habits.
The chart above, created by Julie R. Peasley using data published in the journal Addiction, tracks daily cannabis and alcohol use among Americans ages 19–30 from 1988 to 2024.
The crossover reflects decades of changing attitudes toward marijuana alongside the rapid expansion of legalization across the country.
Daily Cannabis vs. Alcohol Use
The table below shows the data represented in the graphic, from 1988 to 2024.
| Year | Daily Cannabis Use (ages 19-30, %) | Daily Alcohol Use (ages 19-30, %) |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 3.3 | 6.6 |
| 1989 | 3.2 | 5.8 |
| 1990 | 2.6 | 5.3 |
| 1991 | 2.5 | 5.6 |
| 1992 | 2.4 | 5.1 |
| 1993 | 2.5 | 4.8 |
| 1994 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| 1995 | 2.9 | 4.0 |
| 1996 | 3.2 | 4.6 |
| 1997 | 3.1 | 4.9 |
| 1998 | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| 1999 | 3.6 | 5.1 |
| 2000 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| 2001 | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| 2002 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| 2003 | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| 2004 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| 2005 | 4.3 | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| 2007 | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| 2008 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| 2009 | 5.4 | 6.3 |
| 2010 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| 2011 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| 2012 | 5.6 | 6.0 |
| 2013 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| 2014 | 7.1 | 5.2 |
| 2015 | 7.0 | 5.3 |
| 2016 | 7.8 | 5.5 |
| 2017 | 7.8 | 5.3 |
| 2018 | 8.7 | 4.8 |
| 2019 | 9.5 | 4.5 |
| 2020 | 10.3 | 5.6 |
| 2021 | 11.2 | 4.9 |
| 2022 | 11.2 | 4.6 |
| 2023 | 10.8 | 3.6 |
| 2024 | 10.8 | 3.1 |
The data shows a dramatic divergence.
While alcohol remains more widely consumed overall, cannabis users are now more likely to consume daily or near-daily, especially among Americans under 30. Researchers say the trend reflects changing public attitudes, expanding legalization, and the growing normalization of marijuana use across many states.
The Rise of Daily Cannabis Consumption
The study found that daily or near-daily cannabis use increased 15-fold between 1992 and 2022. By contrast, daily alcohol use remained comparatively stable over the same period.
Researchers point to legalization as a major driver. Recreational marijuana is now legal across much of the country, while medical cannabis programs have expanded even further. In fact, the growing mainstream acceptance of cannabis has closely tracked the expansion of legalization across America, including many of the states where recreational marijuana is now permitted.
The broader cannabis economy has evolved rapidly alongside these policy shifts, with legal cannabis sales in the U.S. surging into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Changing Attitudes Toward Marijuana
Public perception of cannabis has shifted substantially, particularly among younger Americans.
A recent UC San Diego Today article found that teens increasingly view cannabis as less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, or nicotine vapes. Researchers noted that perceived risk around marijuana declines significantly as students get older, especially by 12th grade.
That normalization may partly explain why cannabis consumption patterns are beginning to resemble those historically associated with tobacco rather than alcohol. According to Carnegie Mellon researcher Jonathan Caulkins, roughly 40% of current cannabis users consume daily or near-daily.
Health Risks Remain a Concern
Despite changing public attitudes, health experts caution that cannabis is not risk-free.
The CDC notes that regular cannabis use can contribute to dependency, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of mental health disorders in some users. Meanwhile, heavy alcohol consumption remains strongly linked to liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and impaired driving fatalities.
Some experts argue cannabis may pose lower overdose and accident risks than alcohol, but researchers stress that comparing the two substances is complicated because they affect the body differently.
What is clear, however, is that America’s relationship with cannabis has fundamentally changed, and daily use is no longer considered fringe behavior.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
For more insights on global cannabis consumption trends, check out Cannabis Is the World’s Most Used Drug on the Voronoi app.