A research survey by the market research firm SSRS shows that the majority of Americans believe that recreational use of cannabis should be legal for adults. Respondents to the survey also largely believe that marijuana is less harmful to health than alcohol.
Survey Methodology
SSRS conducted interviews with over 1,000 in early April 2022. Respondents were apprised of a nationally representative sample of adults age 18 and older. SSRS stated that the margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level and the design effect is 1.29.
Survey Results
Findings from the survey indicate that 65% of Americans have tried cannabis. Led by the Baby Boomer generation, coming in at 72%. Additionally, “97% of those who have tried marijuana think it should be legal for medical purposes, compared to 83% of those who have not tried marijuana.”
Sixty-nine% of respondents supported legalization for recreational use, including 78% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 54% of Republicans.
Less Harmful than Alcohol
A majority of Americans also feel that alcohol is more harmful to a person’s health than using cannabis. Fifty-eight percent of respondents felt that alcohol was more harmful than marijuana.
The tide is turning when it comes to how cannabis is perceived in the United States. With more and more support for legalization across the country, it is hopefully a matter of time before legalization occurs at the federal level.
