About 23.1% of US adults used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months. That figure comes from a study by researchers affiliated with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. With roughly 270 million adults in the country, that works out to more than 62 million consumers. This is no niche hobby. It is a mainstream habit that shapes markets, policy and the growing community.
Where the 23.1% Figure Comes From
The researchers drew on the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a nationally representative US survey that tracks how adults find and use health information and how they behave. It asked respondents about past 12-month cannabis use, meaning any consumption at least once during the previous year, whether daily or a single occasion.
The survey also asked about two other things:
- Route of administration. This is the method by which cannabis enters the body, such as smoking, vaping, dabbing, edibles, drinkables or topicals.
- Tobacco use. This made it possible to compare cannabis habits between current tobacco users and non-users.
Legal access helps explain the scale. Cannabis is currently legal for recreational use in 24 states and for medical use in 40 states. Washington, D.C. permits both. For tens of millions of Americans, buying or growing cannabis is now an everyday legal option rather than a risk.
How Americans Consume Cannabis
Smoking still leads, but American consumers are far from loyal to a single method. Among adults who used cannabis in the past year, the study reported these shares by method:
| Route of administration | Share of past-year consumers |
|---|---|
| Smoking (joints, pipes, bongs) | 62.6% |
| Eating or drinking (edibles, drinkables) | 57.6% |
| Vaping | 40.1% |
| Topical lotions | 15.2% |
| Dabbing | 12.4% |
| More than one route | 52.7% |
Dabbing is the inhalation of vaporized cannabis concentrates, such as wax or shatter, from a heated surface. The shares add up to well over 100% because more than half of consumers (52.7%) use more than one method.
For growers, this matters. A single harvest can become flower for the jar, butter for edibles and rosin for dabs. Genetics with a rich terpene profile and strong resin output cover every one of those routes. One plant, many experiences.
The Tobacco Connection
The clearest finding in the HINTS data is the overlap with tobacco. Among adults who currently used tobacco products, 46.0% also reported past-year cannabis use. Among adults who did not use tobacco, the figure was 17.4%. The researchers rated this gap as statistically significant at p < 0.001. A p-value estimates how likely a result this strong would be if no real difference existed, so a value this low means chance is a very unlikely explanation.
Tobacco users who consumed cannabis also used it differently from non-tobacco users:
- Smoking: 73.4% vs. 55.6%
- Vaping: 52.4% vs. 32.1%
- Two or more routes: 60% vs. 47.9%
The pattern points toward inhaled methods, which makes sense. People already used to smoking or vaping nicotine tend to bring those habits to cannabis. The finding is also relevant to public health research, because co-use of tobacco and cannabis is a key factor when studying respiratory health and dependence.
How the US Compares Worldwide
The US past-year cannabis use rate of 23.1% puts it well ahead of Europe's largest markets and just behind Canada. Canada legalized adult-use cannabis nationally in 2018. Adult-use legalization means that people above the legal age can buy and possess cannabis for non-medical purposes.
| Country | Past 12-month adult cannabis use |
|---|---|
| Canada (non-medical use) | 26% |
| United States | 23.1% |
| Spain | 12.6% |
| France | 10.8% |
| Italy | 10.8% |
| Germany | 9.8% |
The European figures come from the European Union Drugs Agency. Spain has the highest rate in the EU, yet it still sits at roughly half the US level.
The lesson is simple. Where legal frameworks are mature, use is more visible and more widely reported. North America is setting the pace, and we expect the gap to narrow as European policies continue to evolve.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of US adults use cannabis?
According to a study based on the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey, 23.1% of American adults used cannabis at least once in the previous 12 months. Applied to a population of roughly 270 million adults, that equals more than 62 million people consuming cannabis each year.
What is the most popular way to consume cannabis in the US?
Smoking remains the top method. 62.6% of past-year consumers smoked cannabis, and 57.6% ate or drank it as edibles or beverages. Vaping followed at 40.1%, topical lotions at 15.2% and dabbing concentrates at 12.4%. Most consumers combine several of these methods rather than sticking to one.
Are tobacco users more likely to use cannabis?
Yes. Adults who currently used tobacco reported past-year cannabis use at 46.0%, compared with 17.4% among non-users. Tobacco users who consumed cannabis were also more likely to smoke or vape it and more likely to use two or more consumption methods.
Where is cannabis legal in the United States?
Cannabis is legal for recreational adult use in 24 US states and for medical use in 40 states. Washington, D.C. allows both recreational and medical cannabis. Laws on home cultivation, possession limits and purchase rules vary from state to state, so always check local regulations first.
How does US cannabis use compare with Europe?
US past-year cannabis use among adults is roughly double the rate in leading EU countries. European Union Drugs Agency estimates place Spain at 12.6%, France and Italy at 10.8% each, and Germany at 9.8%. Canada, with national legalization since 2018, reports 26%.
United Kingdom