Marijuana use surpassed cigarette use in the United States last year, a new study found.
In 2025, 43.8 million Americans (ages 12 and up) used marijuana regularly, compared to 36.1 million Americans who smoked cigarettes, according to the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Marijuana use was highest among adults ages 18 to 25 (8.4 million people), while cigarette use was highest among adults 26 and up (32.2 million people), the survey, released July 28, shows.
Smoking was the most common mode of marijuana use, followed by edibles, vaping, dabs, waxes and concentrates, the study found. In addition to cigarettes, 29.3 million Americans (ages 12 and up) reported regular nicotine vaping usage.
Around 60,000 Americans were interviewed for the latest edition of the annual survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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Emily Groessl inhales cannabis smoke from a snifter at Holistic Connection in Nashville, Tenn., on May 11, 2022.
The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health doesn't point to why marijuana use surpassed cigarette use in 2025. However, the findings come as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana.
Forty-one states have legalized medical marijuana, and 24 states have legalized recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Alcohol use remains on top
Despite marijuana's growing popularity, the substance still hasn't touched alcohol.
In 2025, 129.1 million Americans aged 12 and up currently drank alcohol, according to the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of that figure, 44% were monthly binge drinkers.
A customer smells marijuana flowers while shopping at BOWDEGA Cannabis dispensary in Utica, Mich., on Aug. 13, 2025.
For men, binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks on one day in the past 30 days. For women, binge drinking is four or more drinks on one day in the past 30 days.
Conducted by the federal government since 1971, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health includes findings on "self-reported substance use and mental health of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older." According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the survey measures:
Use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco;
Substance use disorder and substance use treatment;
Major depressive episodes, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors and other symptoms of mental illness, mental health care; and
Recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.
