U.S.: Marijuana Use Among Adults, by state
StateAdult population,
in %
VermontVermont34.37
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia33.44
OregonOregon32.80
AlaskaAlaska32.45
WashingtonWashington30.70
MassachusettsMassachusetts29.74
NevadaNevada29.54
ColoradoColorado27.74
New MexicoNew Mexico27.63
MaineMaine27.21
MontanaMontana26.87
MichiganMichigan26.86
Rhode IslandRhode Island26.74
OklahomaOklahoma26.30
ArizonaArizona25.06
CaliforniaCalifornia23.96
MissouriMissouri23.75
IllinoisIllinois23.44
MinnesotaMinnesota23.12
New YorkNew York23.11
ConnecticutConnecticut23.02
OhioOhio22.41
DelawareDelaware20.85
New HampshireNew Hampshire20.64
MarylandMaryland20.64
LouisianaLouisiana20.54
VirginiaVirginia20.26
New JerseyNew Jersey20.23
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania20.03
KansasKansas19.55
IndianaIndiana19.51
WisconsinWisconsin19.48
West VirginiaWest Virginia19.24
HawaiiHawaii18.95
IowaIowa18.86
North DakotaNorth Dakota18.55
GeorgiaGeorgia18.41
TennesseeTennessee18.35
IdahoIdaho18.21
FloridaFlorida17.83
ArkansasArkansas17.54
South DakotaSouth Dakota17.24
WyomingWyoming17.15
South CarolinaSouth Carolina16.99
KentuckyKentucky16.92
North CarolinaNorth Carolina16.50
NebraskaNebraska16.43
MississippiMississippi15.92
TexasTexas15.46
UtahUtah15.15
AlabamaAlabama13.89
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2022
  • Published: Feb 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Vermont Leads in Marijuana Use Among Adults

Vermont stands out with the highest percentage of adult marijuana use at 34.37%, making it the state with the most significant proportion of adults who have used marijuana in the past year. The state surpasses the District of Columbia and Oregon, which have rates of 33.44% and 32.80%, respectively.

Marijuana Use Below National Average in Southern States

Southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas report lower rates of adult marijuana use, with Alabama at 13.89%, Mississippi at 15.92%, and Texas at 15.46%. These figures are considerably below the national average of 21.43%.

The National Average for Marijuana Use

The overall adult population in the United States has a marijuana usage rate of 21.43%. This benchmark illustrates the wide variation in marijuana consumption across states, with many states exceeding this average, while others fall below it.

High Usage Rates in States with Legalized Recreational Marijuana

States known for early legalization of recreational marijuana, such as Colorado (27.74%), Washington (30.70%), and Oregon (32.80%), showcase higher percentages of adult marijuana use. This trend suggests a correlation between legalization and increased reported use.

Utah Reports the Lowest Usage Rate

Utah has the lowest reported rate of adult marijuana use at 15.15%. This places Utah at the bottom of the list in terms of marijuana consumption among adults over the past year, underscoring the variations in usage across different regions of the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the highest rate of adult marijuana use?

Vermont has the highest rate of adult marijuana use at 34.37%.

Which states have the lowest marijuana usage rates?

The southern states of Alabama (13.89%), Mississippi (15.92%), and Texas (15.46%) have the lowest marijuana usage rates.

What is the national average for adult marijuana use in the U.S.?

The national average for adult marijuana use in the U.S. is 21.43%.

Terms and Definitions

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, refers to a psychoactive drug obtained from the Cannabis plant. It is widely used for recreational or medicinal purposes due to its psychoactive and physiological effects, which typically include heightened mood, relaxation, and an alteration in perception.

Recreational use refers to the use of substances such as marijuana primarily for enjoyment, leisure, or other non-medical purposes. Recreational marijuana use is regulated and varies in legality across different U.S. states.

Medicinal use refers to the use of substances like marijuana for the purpose of treating or managing a medical condition. The therapeutic review and approval of medicinal marijuana depends on state laws, scientific research, and medical consultation.

Legalization in this context refers to the act of making the use and trade of marijuana permissible by law. In the U.S., marijuana legalization varies from state to state, with some approving it for medical use, others for both medical and recreational use, and others not legalizing it at all.

Decriminalization refers to the reduction or elimination of criminal penalties imposed for personal marijuana use. While it does not mean that the act is legal, it simply means that violations are treated as minor violations or are not criminally prosecuted.