According to new polling from Gallup, 17% of American adults say they smoke marijuana, which is tied with a previous record set in 2023 and represents a significant increase from the 7% who reported using pot in 2013. The same poll found that 15% of US adults use edibles. This shift reflects growing acceptance of marijuana use, particularly for medical reasons, which was recently reclassified as less dangerous by the Trump administration through an order signed earlier this year. Meanwhile, cigarette smoking has reached a record low, with just 11% of American adults reporting they smoke cigarettes, down from a high of 45% in 1954.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
17% of American adults now say they smoke marijuana, which is tied with the record high set in 2023, and marks a significant increase from 7% in 2013 when Gallup first started polling on the topic. This shift reflects growing acceptance of marijuana use, particularly for medical reasons, which may have been influenced by the Trump administration's decision to reclassify medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug earlier this year. Additionally, a record 15% of US adults report using edibles. Meanwhile, cigarette smoking has reached an all-time low, with only 11% of American adults saying they use them. This decline in cigarette use is part of a long-term trend that began after the high of 45% in 1954. The shift towards marijuana and away from cigarettes may be related to the two states voting on ballot measures to legalize marijuana in the November midterms.
Written for “Marijuana Use On The Rise” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but every quote it verified points left, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 1944: score contradicts its own evidence · logged 2026-08-28
Marijuana use in the US is at a record high, while cigarette smoking sits at a record low, according to new polling from Gallup.
uncertain
smoking → sit → Gallup
Seventeen percent of American adults say they smoke marijuana, tied with the high notched in 2023.
asserted
they → say → 2023
That’s a big shift from 2013, the year Gallup started polling the question, when just 7% said they used pot.
asserted
they → ’ → pot
A record 15% of US adults also say they use edibles.
asserted
they → say → edibles
The polling reflects the growing acceptance of marijuana use, especially for medical reasons.
asserted
polling → reflect → reasons
Earlier this year, the Trump administration signed an order reclassifying medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, changing the way it’s regulated.
asserted
it → sign → way
Two states will vote on ballot measures legalizing marijuana in the November midterms.
asserted
states → vote → midterms
Meanwhile, cigarette use has dwindled to just 11% of American adults, steadily declining from a high of 45% in 1954.
asserted
use → dwindle → 1954
