Nearly half of United States has tried marijuana: Poll

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, which is best known for its opinion polls, says this is the highest percentage to admit to 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 1 in 10 U.S. citizens say that not only have they tried marijuana, but they also currently smoke it. 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.

marijuana Health