Half of Americans in a new Gallup survey said they have tried marijuana recreationally, though far fewer use the drug regularly.
The poll, published Thursday, found that 50 percent of respondents said they have tried marijuana, while 17 percent of those surveyed said they smoke it regulary.
This is a 2-point increase from a similar poll in January 2022, in which 48 percent of respondents said they have tried the drug.
Democratic men were the most likely group to smoke marijuana.
Along political party lines, 57 percent of Democratic respondents said they have tried marijuana, compared to 52 percent of independents and 39 percent of Republicans. Fifty-three percent of male respondents and 44 percent of female respondents said they have tried marijuana.
There was limited variation by age group. Fifty-one percent of respondents between the ages of 35 and 54 said they have tried marijuana, compared to 49 percent between 18 and 34 years and 47 percent who are 55 or older.
Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., have legalized the recreational use of marijuana.
Minnesota is the most recent state to legalize recreational marijuana use. Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation in May that allows people older than 21 to carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana in public and possess up to 2 pounds. The legislation went into effect last week.
The Gallup poll was conducted from July 3-27 with 1,105 respondents. The poll’s margin of error was 4 percentage points.
