Marijuana has surpassed alcohol and cigarettes as the most frequently used daily drug among American adults, according to new data from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found that 21.4 million Americans are now daily or near-daily marijuana users.
This figure represents a significant increase, with daily or near-daily marijuana use rising approximately 21% between 2022 and 2025. During that period, the number of frequent users grew from 17.7 million to 21.4 million, an increase of about 3.7 million individuals. The most substantial jump in frequent users, approximately 2.8 million, occurred between 2021 and 2022.
The surge in marijuana consumption is predominantly driven by adults, particularly those aged 26 and older. Between 2021 and 2025, daily or near-daily marijuana use among adults 18 and older increased by about 22%, climbing from 17.2 million to 20.9 million users.
While marijuana now leads in daily usage, alcohol remains the most widely consumed substance overall. In the month preceding the survey, approximately 129 million people reported drinking alcohol, compared to 43.8 million who used marijuana.
In contrast, cigarette and broader tobacco product use has seen a decline. From 2021 to 2025, the percentage of Americans using these products decreased from 20.1% to 15.9%. General marijuana use, however, rose from 13.2% to 15.1% during the same timeframe.
Experts have raised concerns about the increasing potency of cannabis products and their impact on mental health. Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical contributor, highlighted that higher THC levels are linked to addiction and adverse mental health effects, particularly in developing brains. He stated that claims of cannabis effectively treating anxiety and depression are often unsubstantiated, and can lead to an increase in emergency room visits.
Recent reports also indicate a trend of workers using substances, including THC and marijuana products, to manage stress. A survey of 1,000 full-time employees in April 2026 found that 63% engage in some form of self-medication after work, with 52% doing so during the workday. For Gen Z workers, THC use after work exceeded alcohol use, with 59% reporting marijuana product use compared to 50% who drink alcohol.
Siegel cautioned that the rising use of marijuana, coupled with decreasing alcohol and cigarette consumption, may be influenced by a lack of awareness regarding the dangers of cannabis compared to the increased awareness of the risks associated with cigarettes and alcohol. He pointed to THC's association with an increasing share of fatal motor vehicle crashes and its potential impact on mental performance, judgment, and memory.