Marijuana Use by the Numbers
As of this writing, the medicinal use of marijuana is legal in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. teritories. Of those states and territories, 14 also allow recreational use of marijuana. An additional 13 states allow the sale of products containing cannabidiol (CBD), with restrictions on the amount of THC (see definitions in sidebar). However, at the federal level, marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug and is therefore illegal, although the FDA has approved certain components of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.2
37.6 million
Number of users in the U.S. in 2016, making marijuana the most commonly used illegal drug in the country.1
Adult Users in the...
has an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas, and an M.A. in bioethics from Trinity International University. She resides in Dallas and currently works as a freelance science writer and educator.
