According to Gallup’s latest marijuana poll released August 20, 2024, more Americans now see marijuana’s use and its effects in a more negative perspective than they did in 2023. The 2024 survey involved telephone interviews with U.S. adults (N=1,010). When asked if marijuana use was either “somewhat” or “very” harmful, 66% of the respondents agreed with that statement. Compared to 2023 results to the same question, only 58% agreed with the statement, an increase of nearly 14% for those who viewed marijuana use as being harmful. The percentage of people who saw little to no harm in use decreased by 20 % from 2023 (40%) to 2024 (32%).
However, despite this shift in opinion, survey respondents still believed that marijuana (ranked #8 for harmfulness) is less harmful than other substances such as alcohol (ranked #7), and cigarettes (ranked #1). In their summary, Gallup authors noted that, “… slim majorities now believe marijuana has a negative effect on its users and society as a whole.”
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