Carnegie Mellon University reveals surge in daily cannabis consumption

In a recent study conducted in the United States, it has been revealed that there has been a significant increase in daily cannabis consumption, surpassing the number of daily alcohol drinkers. The study, which analyzed data from 1979 to 2022, highlighted a noticeable shift in cannabis consumption patterns among individuals in the country.

The research, carried out by Carnegie Mellon University, delved into the long-term trends of cannabis usage in the US. It found that there was a decline in reported cannabis use until 1992, followed by a partial increase leading up to 2008, and a substantial surge since then, particularly in intensive use. Between 2008 and 2022, the per capita rate of past-year cannabis use saw a significant 120% increase, with reported days of use per capita rising by 218%. Notably, from 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of daily or near-daily cannabis use surged by a staggering 15 times.

As of 2022, there has been a milestone reached where the number of daily and near-daily cannabis users has exceeded that of alcohol consumers for the first time. While alcohol consumption still remains more prevalent overall, the prevalence of high-frequency drinking is lower. Individuals who reported cannabis consumption in the previous month in 2022 were nearly four times more likely to report daily or near-daily use and 7.4 times more likely to report daily use.

The findings of these studies shed light on the evolving landscape of substance consumption in the US, with cannabis use showing a notable increase in daily and near-daily usage compared to alcohol. It is crucial for policymakers and health officials to monitor these trends closely and implement appropriate measures to address any potential public health implications arising from these shifting patterns of substance use.