Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. Over 94 million people in the U.S. have admitted using it at least once. To learn more statistics about who uses marijuana (cannabis), explore this infographic.

Lee Weber

Author of "The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions"

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Who uses marijuana in the U.S.?

A lot of people!

More specifically, about 19.8 million people have reported marijuana use in the past month. This is 7.5 % of all citizens aged 12+. Also, 2.4 million persons from the same age group used marijuana for the first time in the past year. This means that in the past year there have been around 6,600 new users each day, and our American sons and daughters are smoking weed.

Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)

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<p>An infographic from the team at <a href="https://addictionblog.org">Addiction Blog</a></p><a href="https://addictionblog.org/infographics/who-uses-weed-the-face-of-marijuana-addiction-infographic/">Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)</a><a href="https://addictionblog.org/blackforest/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-face-of-marijuana-addiction-who-uses-weed.png"><img class="lazy lazy-hidden" src="//addictionblog.org/blackforest/wp-content/plugins/a3-lazy-load/assets/images/lazy_placeholder.gif" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://addictionblog.org/blackforest/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-face-of-marijuana-addiction-who-uses-weed.png" alt="Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)" border="0" title="Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)" /><noscript><img src="https://addictionblog.org/blackforest/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-face-of-marijuana-addiction-who-uses-weed.png" alt="Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)" border="0" title="Who uses weed? The face of marijuana addiction (INFOGRAPHIC)" /></noscript></a>

Marijuana use demographics

AGE – Among the total population, those who have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime, are mainly within the 16-25 age bracket (about half of all users weed ever). But, marijuana use is not only confined to teenagers and young adults.

6% of the 12-13 year olds have tried weed
27% of the 16-17 year olds have used marijuana
40% of the 18-21 year olds have used weed
38% of the 22-25 year olds have tried marijuana
6% of the 50+ reported to have used marijuana

EDUCATION – Incidence of cannabis use also seems to rise with increasing school level:

8% of students are in junior high school
17% are freshmen and sophomores
30% are high school juniors and seniors
44% of those who have used MJ are now in college or graduate school

GENDER – Until recently twice as many males as females had used marijuana. However, most recent studies indicate that this sex differential appears to be diminishing. In many youthful populations use is almost equally distributed between males and females.

RACE / ETHNICITY – Marijuana use does not appear to vary significantly by race.

EMPLOYMENT – Use is found in all socioeconomic groups and occupations, though it is slightly more predominant among persons with above-average incomes.

Marijuana use and addiction questions

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In the meantime, we welcome your questions and comments about marijuana addiction and use in the designated section at the bottom of the page. We value your feedback and try to answer all legitimate inquiries personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: NDSUH: Results from the 2013 NSDUH: Summary of National Findings

DAWN: 2011: National Estimates of Drug-Related ED Visits

NIH: Drug-Related Hospital Emergency Room Visits

NIH: Marijuana Use & Educational Outcomes

NIH: Marijuana

NIH: Nationwide Trends

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