50% of Americans tried weed, 17% regular smokers: Gallup

Getting high is becoming as American as apple pie.

Half of U.S. residents have tried marijuana, and 17% currently smoke weed — both new highs since the tune-in drop-out 1960s, a new Gallup survey released Thursday revealed.

The poll attributed the increases to growing acceptance of cannabis, with 23 states including New York, legalizing recreational use of weed and 38 states allowing the sale for medicinal purposes.

“As marijuana has become more available to Americans and legal in an increasing number of states, their reports of use and experimentation have increased too. Now, half of the country has tried it, while the other half say they never have,” Gallup said in its analysis of the findings.

The number of Americans who currently smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013 when only 7% admitted to using the drug.

Over that same period, Gallup recorded a significant increase in the U.S. public’s support for the legalization of marijuana, which has grown from 12% in 1969 to 68% today.

Meanwhile, New York has become the “Empire Baked” State.

Some 2.7 million New Yorkers enjoy marijuana at least once a month, state cannabis regulators reported last month, and that number is expected to grow as the state grows out its legal cannabis market.

The New York legislature approved a law legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in 2021.

Another recent survey found that New York City consumes more marijuana than any city in the world.

The Gallup survey noted partisan differences in the acceptance and use of cannabis.

For example, 57% of Democrats said they tried weed, compared to just 39% of Republicans and 52% of self-described independent or unaffiliated party voters.

Similarly, Democrats are nearly twice as likely as Republicans to currently smoke marijuana, 21% compared to 12%, with independents’ usage falling in between 17%

Not surprisingly, a higher percentage of young adults aged 18 to 24 (29%) consume pot, more than three times as older adults aged 55 and older (9%). Current use among adults aged 35-54 matches the national average at 17%.

There’s a modest gender gap. Slightly more men have tried pot —  53% to 44% for women, while 19% of guys currently smoke weed compared to 14% of females.

A majority of Americans — 55% — said they are not too not concerned about the health effects of marijuana on regular adult users — but 75% of respondents said they are somewhat or very worried about the impacts on young people and teens.

“This may reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s warning that marijuana use can disproportionately impact young people, with negative effects on their brain development and mental health,” Gallup said.

Results for the Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews of 1,015 adults conducted from July 3-27. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.