57% percent of Americans think marijuana use should be legal

New research published by DIG Insights, the Cannabis Culture Report, gives an interesting insight into the use of marijuana in the United States, as well as consumer attitudes and legalisation.

“Our goal was to create a custom research study that would serve as a benchmark for the growing Cannabis industry, legislators and other interested parties”. Rory McGee, research director at DIG Insights, said.

The research company based in Toronto, Canada did the online surveys between April 3rd and 7th. The sample includes 1,106 Canadians and 1,105 Americans aged 18-65.

The study shows that the majority of Americans supports legalisation (57%) and that support is highest among men, young people and Millennials. Only 16% believe the plant is “very harmful.” In contrast, more than half of respondents (51%) think that its use can be beneficial.

In addition, 2 out of every 10 people in the United States admit that they have used marijuana for recreational purposes in the last year, and an additional 24% would potentially use it if it became legal.  Usage is highest among people aged 18-34 (34%).

The most common form of consumption is smoking, although more and more young people use vaporizers and 54% of cannabis users claim to have tested the plant in the form of food.

A recent CBS News survey shows support for legalizing marijuana is higher than ever

This survey was conducted by telephone from April 11th-15th 2017 amongst a random sample of 1,011 adults nationwide.

On the one hand, 61% percent of survey respondents thought that marijuana use should be legal, a five-point increase from last year and the highest percentage ever recorded. On the other hand, 88% percent favour medical use.

Support for legalisation has risen among all age groups, with Americans under the age of 35 in particular showing the strongest support.  Three out of four adults between 18 and 34 now support legal cannabis use.