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Marijuana (cannabis) policy and use have changed dramatically in the last decade, with more states legalizing medical and adult-use programs and researchers tracking how legalization intersects with public health, enforcement, and the economy.
This post updates the most reliable marijuana statistics using primary and high-quality sources (NCSL for legality, SAMHSA for usage, and state revenue departments for taxes). Older numbers are included only when they provide useful historical context—and are clearly labeled by year.
Marijuana Facts & Stats (Latest Available)
- Adult-use legal: 24 states + D.C. (as of Jun 26, 2025)
- Medical legal: 40 states + D.C. (as of Jun 26, 2025)
- U.S. past-year marijuana use: 22.3% of people age 12+ (64.2M) in 2024
- U.S. past-month marijuana use: 15.4% of people age 12+ (44.3M) in 2024
- Public support (U.S.): 54% legal medical + recreational; 33% medical-only (Pew, 2025)
- Colorado cannabis taxes: $236.45M in 2025; $3.11B total-to-date
- Market forecast: U.S. retail sales >$38B (2024, BDSA); global legal sales $58B by 2028 (BDSA)
Key Metrics Table
| Metric | Value | Year / Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult-use (recreational) legal jurisdictions | 24 states + D.C. | As of Jun 26, 2025 | NCSL |
| Medical cannabis legal jurisdictions | 40 states + D.C. | As of Jun 26, 2025 | NCSL |
| Past-year marijuana use (U.S., age 12+) | 22.3% (64.2M) | 2024 | SAMHSA (NSDUH 2024) |
| Past-month marijuana use (U.S., age 12+) | 15.4% (44.3M) | 2024 | SAMHSA (NSDUH 2024) |
| Support for legalization (medical + recreational) | 54% | Jan–Feb 2025 | Pew Research Center |
| Colorado marijuana tax revenue (calendar year) | $236.45M | 2025 | Colorado DOR |
| Global legal cannabis sales (forecast) | $58B | 2028 (forecast) | BDSA |
Legalization by the Numbers (U.S.)
State policy varies widely, but NCSL’s tracked totals provide a clean, defensible snapshot:
- Adult-use (recreational): 24 states + D.C. allow or regulate non-medical cannabis for adults (as of Jun 26, 2025).
- Medical: 40 states + D.C. allow medical use of cannabis products (as of Jun 26, 2025).
Decriminalization is often defined differently across states (civil vs. criminal penalties; local vs. statewide). NCSL notes a “handful” of states with decriminalization approaches, including Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and North Dakota.
How Many Americans Use Marijuana?
SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is one of the most important sources for U.S. cannabis prevalence. In 2024:
- Past-year use (age 12+): 22.3% (64.2 million people)
- Past-month use (age 12+): 15.4% (44.3 million people)
These are population-level estimates and are best used to understand broad trends over time rather than day-to-day changes.
Public Opinion on Legalization
Public support remains high for legalization in some form. Pew’s 2025 findings show:
- 54% say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use
- 33% say it should be legal for medical use only
- 12% say it should not be legal
Gallup’s October 2025 polling found 64% support for making marijuana legal (a separate question format), illustrating how results can vary depending on wording and survey design.
Economics: Sales and Tax Revenue
Because cannabis markets are regulated state by state, “U.S. sales” totals depend heavily on what’s included (adult-use + medical, which states, whether illicit sales are excluded, etc.). For consistent comparisons, it helps to stick with one forecasting firm over time.
- U.S. retail sales forecast: BDSA projected U.S. cannabis retail sales would total more than $38B in 2024.
- Global legal sales: BDSA said global legal cannabis spending was $36B in 2023 and forecast $58B by 2028.
For hard, audited government numbers, state tax departments are often the most reliable. Colorado’s Department of Revenue reports:
- 2025 Colorado marijuana tax revenue: $236,449,405
- Total-to-date (through 2025): $3,109,967,840
FAQ
How many states have legalized recreational marijuana?
NCSL reports that 24 states and the District of Columbia allow or regulate adult non-medical cannabis use (as of June 26, 2025).
How many states have legal medical marijuana?
NCSL reports that 40 states and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products (as of June 26, 2025).
What percent of Americans use marijuana?
In 2024, SAMHSA NSDUH estimates 22.3% of people age 12+ used marijuana in the past year, and 15.4% used it in the past month.
How many Americans support legalizing marijuana?
Pew’s 2025 survey found 54% support legal medical + recreational use and 33% support medical-only. Gallup’s October 2025 poll found 64% support for making marijuana legal.
How much tax revenue does marijuana generate?
It varies by state and tax structure. Colorado reported $236.45M in marijuana tax revenue in 2025, with $3.11B total-to-date through 2025.
Sources
- NCSL: State Medical Cannabis Laws (medical + adult-use totals, Jun 26, 2025)
- NCSL: Cannabis Overview (decriminalization notes)
- SAMHSA: NSDUH 2024 National Release Highlights (past-year use)
- SAMHSA: NSDUH 2024 (past-month use)
- Pew Research Center: Facts about marijuana (2025 views)
- Gallup: Marijuana legalization support (Oct 2025 poll results discussed)
- Colorado Department of Revenue: Marijuana tax reports
- BDSA: U.S. retail sales >$38B (2024 forecast mention)
- BDSA: Global legal cannabis sales forecast ($58B by 2028)
