Recent data from Gallup shows that the majority of Americans now consider marijuana to be less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products. This comes as cannabis usage has surpassed cigarette usage in the United States.
The findings of this survey continue a trend that has been ongoing for several years: more and more American adults are quitting smoking as their awareness of the health risks associated with cigarettes grows. On the other hand, the data reveals the opposite trend for marijuana use, with perceptions of its harm decreasing as more states legalize its use and more adults identify as active users.
Survey respondents were asked about seven different substances and whether they viewed them as “very,” “somewhat” or “not too/not at all” harmful. Only 23% of respondents said marijuana was “very harmful,” compared to 76% for cigarettes, 54% for e-cigarettes, 39% for cigars and 30% for alcohol.
Another survey released in June supports this trend. It found that Americans consider marijuana to be significantly less dangerous than cigarettes, alcohol and opioids. They also found cannabis to be less addictive than each of those substances, as well as technology.
