Americans Believe Marijuana is Better for Society Than Alcohol

Poll Reveals Americans Believe Marijuana is Better for Society than Alcohol

According to a Gallup poll, more Americans believe marijuana positively affects society and its users more than alcohol.

Even more surprising, those who have used cannabis are much more likely to highlight its positive benefits than the small percentage of alcohol drinkers who feel exactly the same about their drug of choice.

In general, Americans are evenly split on the subject of marijuana’s effects on consumers and society.

The poll found that 53% of respondents believed marijuana has a positive effect on the consumer. In contrast, 46% thought it has negative effects. And 49% said the plant is good for society (compared with 50% in opposition).

Poll reveals that Americans Believe Marijuana is Better for Society than Alcohol

Contrary to alcohol, marijuana is still federally illegal in the United States.

It is notable that only 27 percent of Americans believe alcohol is beneficial for individual drinkers.

Additionally, only 23 percent consider alcohol a positive contribution to society. 71% of Americans believe that booze is harmful to society, and 71% say it’s not good for most people who drink it.

This is in line with the March results of another poll that shows more Americans believe it would be beneficial if people made the switch from alcohol to cannabis.

Gallup polls,creveal another interesting contrast between how people perceive the two substances. People who stated that they had at least tried marijuana were significantly more likely (70 percent) to feel it was positive for society (66 percent). In opposition to those who drank the same amount of alcohol (32% and 27%, respectively).

35 percent of non-cannabis users said that the plant was beneficial for those who use it. Furthermore, 27 percent said that it was good for society.

A further negative view of alcohol is held by non-drinkers, who only 14% say it is beneficial for drinkers or society.

Issue of Legality

So, alcohol is legal in the U.S. and widely accepted from a social standpoint–and cannabis is stigmatized and banned.

However, the data suggests that people still believe marijuana is the better choice. Even people who drink do not believe that alcohol is a net positive.

A separate Gallup survey in 2020 showed that 86% of Americans consider alcohol use morally acceptable. This is in contrast to 70% who say the same about marijuana.

There were also some other data points of note in the new poll on cannabis. It shows that 48 percent of Americans have tried marijuana once or more.

Gallup also asked about edibles and found that 14% of Americans consume edibles. Sixteen percent of respondents indicated that they smoke cannabis.

While there are many opinions on the pros and cons of marijuana, some people believe it should not be criminalized. According to a Gallup poll, 68% of Americans support legalization.

Future of Federal Legalization

“The future of marijuana legalization, at both the federal and state levels, may partly depend on what medical and other research studies show is the impact of the drug on users and society at large, particularly if its use continues to expand,” Says Gallup. “But with young people being more familiar and comfortable with marijuana, their greater tolerance may be destined to prevail over time.”

Gallup continues, “For now, Americans are roughly divided into proponents and detractors of the drug.”

Public perception aside, the legalization of marijuana seems to be attracting more adult users in states that have regulated markets.

This is partly reflected in the fact that states such as Arizona, Massachusetts, and Illinois have had months when tax revenue from marijuana sales outpaces those of alcohol.

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