Societal attitudes toward cannabis have no doubt swayed over the last decade. Nearly every state in the nation has some form of legal marijuana, and the vast majority of people support reform. However, a new Gallup poll shows that opinions on cannabis are a bit more complicated than previously thought.
The majority of Americans agree that cannabis is less harmful than other substances like alcohol or nicotine. A July Gallup survey of 1,010 adults revealed that only 26 percent of people think cannabis is “very harmful.” This makes cannabis the perceived “least harmful” substance on the list. Around 33 percent of Americans believe alcohol is very harmful, while approximately 79 percent feel the same about cigarettes.
Nearly one-third of Americans believe marijuana is “not too harmful” or “not harmful at all.” Only ten percent of respondents felt the same about alcohol, while two percent reported similar sentiments around cigarettes. ANd while most Americans agree that cannabis is somewhat safer than other intoxicants but have mixed feelings about the plant’s impact on society.
Approximately 54 percent of survey respondents said marijuana has a somewhat or very negative effect on society, an increase of four percentage points from 2022. Just over half said the plant has a negative impact on people who use it, up from 45 percent two years ago. The fear that pot may be a detriment to society is more in line with outdated stigmas than modern ideals.
The contrast is a bit confusing, especially since data shows legal cannabis tends to correlate with job creation, a decrease in youth consumption, a boost in home values, and other fringe societal benefits. Daily pot consumption is also outpacing daily drinking for the first time in history, another sign of widening acceptance.
Cannabis is becoming more mainstream by the day, even if Americans are split on the long-term effects of the plant. As reform continues to spread and the prevalence of consumption grows, it’s likely that more people will realize the D.A.R.E. stats of the past are nothing but smoke and mirrors.
