A significant change in consumer habits in the United States occurred recently. For the first time, the number of citizens who use marijuana almost daily exceeded to those who drink alcohol with the same frequency.
According to experts, This change is closely related to the progressive legalization of marijuanawhich has facilitated its access and increased its recreational use in recent decades.
According to the report, 17.7 million people admitted to using marijuana daily or almost every daywhile 14.7 million people reported drinking alcohol with the same frequency.
This finding marks the first time that research documents daily drug consumption higher than alcohol consumption in the country. Since the survey began in 1992, The per capita rate of marijuana consumption has increased 15 times by 2022. This increase, according to specialists, can be attributed to two main factors: legalization and greater recognition of consumption by users.
Impact of legalization and self-recognition
The legalization of marijuana has played a crucial role in this change, according to experts. At the moment, 25 of the 50 states allow both medicinal and recreational use of marijuana.
This legalization has normalized its use and reduced the associated stigma, leading more people to feel comfortable admitting its use. This decrease in stigma and legal barriers has led to an increase in self-reported consumption, which is reflected in the survey data.
Although marijuana use has increased significantly, research indicates that, generally speaking, alcohol remains the most consumed substance. However, The frequency and intensity of daily marijuana use has surpassed that of alcohol.
Marijuana reclassification process in the US
On another front, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is advancing the reclassification of marijuana. American news agencies report that marijuana should be reclassified into a less severe category.
Currently, marijuana is in the same category as drugs like heroin and LSD. With the proposed change, it would be equated with substances such as anabolic steroids and ketamine.
This change does not seek to legalize marijuana for recreational use, but rather intends to relocate to a lower risk categoryalthough it will continue to be a controlled substance with use restricted by regulations.
Those who traffic marijuana will continue to face criminal prosecution in federal courts.
In the United States, states have the ability to establish their own regulations on drug use. In the middle of the country, recreational and medicinal use of marijuana is legalwhile in the other states, regulations vary from allowing only medicinal use to not allowing any use at all.
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from O Globo, and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
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