More Americans are smoking weed than ever, or at least they’re being more honest about it. Thirteen percent of U.S. citizens currently smoke marijuana, according to a new Gallup poll. That figure has nearly doubled since 2013, when just seven percent admitted to regularly toking up.
Why the dramatic increase? Part of it certainly has to do with the increased legalization–and subsequent mainstream acceptance–of the drug. In 2013, just two states, Colorado and Washington, had legalized recreational marijuana; four states, plus the District of Columbia, allow it today. As Gallup notes, all four states—the new additions are Alaska and Oregon—are in the western part of the U.S., where poll participants were “significantly more likely” to admit regular cannabis use. It’s seems like a safe bet that the number of admitted users will continue to rise in the months to come, with five more states set to vote on recreational marijuana in November.
The demographic breakdowns are about what you’d expect, with younger, non-religious Americans leading the way. Nineteen percent of 18-29 year olds said they ingested some form of pot, 10 percent more than 30 to 49 year olds did and 12 percent more than 50 to 64 year olds did (just three percent of the 65 year old and older crew smokes, or fessed up to it at least).
Education level didn’t seem to matter much, with only a two percent difference between people with some college or a college degree (11 percent) and those with just a high school diploma (nine percent). Only six percent of nerds (postgrads) reported regular pot use .
For more on the current state of weed use in the U.S., read the full poll at Gallup.
