For the first time, more Americans are using marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis than alcohol or tobacco, according to newly released data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The findings show about 21.4 million people age 12 and older reported using marijuana daily in 2025, compared to 17.2 million who drank alcohol every day or most days and 19.9 million who regularly smoked cigarettes.
As Emily’s Hope reported earlier this week, marijuana use and addiction continue to rise among adults. The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. About 21.2% of Americans age 12 and older, or roughly 61.6 million people, reported using marijuana in the past year.
That’s up from 19.0%, or 53.2 million people, in 2021. The increase was driven largely by adults age 26 and older, whose usage rose from 17.3% (38.2 million) to 20.6% (47.2 million) during that time.
Meanwhile, alcohol and tobacco use have declined significantly, dropping 24% and 28% since 2021. The survey also shows alcohol now ranks behind nicotine vaping in daily use, with about 17.5 million people reporting regular vaping in 2025.
While alcohol is still far more commonly used overall, including occasional consumption, marijuana users are more likely to use regularly. About 129 million Americans reported drinking alcohol in the past month, compared to 43.8 million who used marijuana.
However, only about 13% of monthly alcohol users said they drink daily, while an estimated 40% to 50% of monthly marijuana users reported using the drug every day.
