Gone to pot: Nearly half of Americans say they have smoked marijuana

If public opinion is any indication, nationwide marijuana legalization might not be such a pipe dream after all. Forty-four percent of Americans say they have tried cannabis, according to a new Gallup poll. The American research-based consulting company says this is the highest percentage to admit having tried the soft drug since it first started asking the question in 1969 — when only 4 percent said they had sampled it. Additionally, roughly one in 10 U.S. citizens say that not only have they tried marijuana, but they also currently smoke it.

The changes over time may reflect either an increase in the percentage who have tried the drug, or an increased willingness to admit to having done so in the past

Gallup

The news comes shortly after Oregon legalized recreational pot use on July 1; it was already legal in Colorado, Alaska, Washington and the District of Columbia. Gallup’s new poll conforms to an upward trend in which Americans have become more liberal on the issue of marijuana legalization. These changes could mirror wider pot use among the populace, increased comfort in admitting to it or a mixture of both factors. The Gallup poll was based on telephone interviews conducted July 8 to July 12, with a random sample of 1,009 adults.

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