Cannabis Use in 2023: Record Levels and Shifting Demographics
In 2023, cannabis consumption in the United States reached historically high levels across nearly all age groups. A federal survey by NIDA found that among adults aged 19–30, 42 % reported cannabis use in the past year, with nearly 10 % using daily; adults 35–50 reported past‑year use at 29 %, with 8 % daily use. The same survey pointed to rising cannabis vaping, reaching all‑time highs—22 % past‑year and 14 % past‑month among younger adults.
SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health confirmed this persistent trend. In total, an estimated 55 million American adults—nearly 17 %—reported using cannabis in the past year. The Centers for Disease Control notes nearly 19 % of Americans had tried cannabis by 2021, with roughly 30 % facing cannabis use disorder.
Meanwhile, youth usage remains a concern. In 2023, 29 % of 12th‑graders reported using cannabis in the past year. Notably, this figure declined to 25.8 % in 2024—a potential sign of reduced usage among high school seniors.
2023 Market and Industry Snapshot
The U.S. cannabis industry continued to thrive in 2023, with total sales surpassing $30 billion. Job creation in the sector supported roughly 425,000 full‑time positions, though employment dipped slightly—down 3.4 % from the previous year.
Research shows that Millennials remain the primary cannabis consumers—followed closely by the rapidly growing Gen Z cohort. Together, they compose around 63 % of North American legal cannabis sales.
Looking Ahead to 2024: Legalization, Rescheduling, & Product Innovation
Legislatively, 2024 has already seen momentum. A federal proposal—the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (S. 4226)—was introduced in May, aiming to deschedule cannabis and expand social equity protections. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice initiated rulemaking to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III—a notable shift since 2024.
At the state level, several legalization efforts are underway. Virginia advanced bills to regulate adult‑use cannabis, and South Carolina reintroduced a medical‑use act in early 2024. Notably, Florida voters rejected legalization in November 2024, achieving 56 % approval—just shy of the 60 % threshold.
Industry observers forecast that the U.S. cannabis market will grow to nearly $40 billion in 2024 and maintain a compound annual growth rate of 14–15 % through 2028. Expect continued expansion of hemp‑derived THC products—such as beverages and edibles—as companies pivot to federal loopholes.
Outlook: A Market in Transition
Entering 2024, the cannabis landscape is marked by a swell in consumer demand, federal policy breakthroughs, and shifting cultural norms. Sales and usage trends continue to climb, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, while daily use and vaping hit record levels. Meanwhile, emerging product categories—like THC‑infused drinks—are jockeying for attention alongside alcohol, even as regulatory hurdles and public‑health debates persist .
With possible rescheduling looming and states steadily advancing legalization, 2024 may cement cannabis’s transformation from fringe to mainstream. But it will also test regulators, lawmakers, and public health advocates to balance growth with safety and equity concerns.
