Who uses cannabis? Far more people than the old stereotype suggests. In Gallup's July 2026 poll, 17% of U.S. adults said they smoke marijuana and 15% said they eat edibles, the highest edible share Gallup has measured. Users span every adult age group, from new parents to retirees. Here's what the numbers show, how Michigan compares and where 4/20 fits today.
Who uses cannabis? The stereotype vs the data
The couch-bound stoner stereotype of old comedies was always a caricature, and the numbers make that plain. Gallup's share of adults who say they smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013, when it was 7%, and the 2026 reading ties the record set in 2023. Our list of common cannabis myths tackles more old assumptions.
How many people smoke weed? Cannabis use statistics for 2026
Two big surveys give the clearest picture as of October 2026:
- The federal survey. The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released in July 2026, estimated that 61.6 million people age 12 and older used marijuana in the past year. That's 21.2%, up from 19.0% in 2021.
- Gallup. In July 2026, 17% of adults said they smoke marijuana and 15% said they consume edibles, up from 12% in 2024.
Both rely on people reporting their own habits, so read them as close estimates.
Who they are: cannabis user demographics by age
Use is most common before 50, but it reaches every age group. Here's the share of adults who told Gallup in 2026 that they smoke marijuana:
| Age group | Say they smoke marijuana |
|---|---|
| 18 to 29 | 23% |
| 30 to 49 | 25% |
| 50 to 64 | 10% |
| 65 and older | 5% |
Older adults are a growing slice. A 2026 study of federal survey data from 2021 through 2024 estimated that 8.9% of Americans 65 and older used cannabis in the past year. Gallup also found women slightly more likely than men to use edibles. Active adults are in the mix too, as our look at cannabis and fitness explores.
Michigan cannabis use and sales
Michigan's licensed stores sold about $3.17 billion worth of cannabis in 2025, according to Cannabis Regulatory Agency figures, down from $3.29 billion in 2024 even as sales volume hit a record. The state ended 2025 with 838 licensed retailers.
Older Michiganders report more use than average. In a 2024 University of Michigan poll, 27% of Michigan adults 50 and older said they'd used cannabis in the past year. Nationally, the figure was 21%. High Society has eight stores across Michigan, including Big Rapids, East Lansing and New Buffalo; find your nearest store.
Why people say they use it
In that same poll, Michigan respondents who used cannabis most often said they did so to relax (84%), help with sleep (70%), address pain (66%) or feel good (65%). Smaller shares mentioned mental health, social gatherings and celebrations. These are reasons people report, not proof that cannabis does those things. If you're thinking about cannabis for sleep, pain or mood, talk with your doctor first.
Responsible habits at every age
- Lock it up. Michigan requires anything over 2.5 ounces at home to be locked away, and every edible belongs out of reach of children and pets. Parents can find more in our guide to cannabis and parenting.
- Never drive high. Using cannabis while driving is illegal. In the University of Michigan poll, about 1 in 5 older Michiganders who used cannabis said they had driven within two hours of using it in the past year, a habit worth breaking.
- Go slow. New to cannabis, or coming back after years away? Our cannabis guide for beginners covers doses and formats.
21+ only. Please consume responsibly.
Where 4/20 fits in today's culture, plus a few low-key ideas
As for the 4/20 meaning, the most widely told story traces it to a group of friends in San Rafael, California, who in 1971 used 4:20 as their meeting time. The code spread through Grateful Dead fan circles, and April 20 became cannabis culture's unofficial holiday. Our full story of 4/20 covers the myths and the history.
Today, 4/20 looks a lot like the people above: mostly low-key. A few ideas:
- Homebodies: a movie marathon with snacks set out ahead of time.
- Hosts: a small get-together with plenty of non-infused food and anything infused clearly labeled.
- Connoisseurs: a side-by-side tasting of two flowers, with notes on aroma and flavor.
- Beginners: one low-dose edible, an easy evening at home and no plans to drive.
- Retirees: an afternoon on the porch or a game night with longtime friends.
The stigma that remains, and why it's shifting
Legal doesn't mean consequence-free. In Michigan, employers may still enforce drug policies, and landlords may ban smoking on their property, though a lease can't forbid lawful use by means other than smoking. Under federal law, adult-use marijuana is still a Schedule I drug as of October 2026. Still, the trend in the data is clear: more adults, in more age groups, say they use cannabis than when polling on it began.
