Charting Weed’s Rise From Stoner Counterculture To American Obsession

From Cheech and Chong to Harold and Kumar, marijuana has played a significant role in pop culture for generations. But over the past couple of decades, its use for medicinal and recreational purposes has become thoroughly mainstream.

An exploding market

To say that more people are smoking more pot in America than ever before is an understatement. The availability and diversity of cannabis products across much of the country is evidence of just how drastically the social stigma surrounding weed has changed.

The trend can be seen in just a few quick facts:

• Between 1992 and 2022, the number of daily pot smokers grew from 1 million to 17.7 million.
• Almost half of all U.S. states have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
• In addition to smoking, products like vapes, oils, and edibles offer their own unique experiences.

Some studies suggest that marijuana is quickly catching up to alcohol as the mind-altering substance of choice for the American people. But just because it seems like everyone is doing it doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea.

Consider the downsides

Weed has some pretty significant medicinal properties and there’s no denying that millions of potheads across the U.S. see it as a generally harmless way to mellow out. Budt as pot becomes more potent and its use continues to increase, experts are starting to sound the alarm about potential long-term health risks.

For starters, there’s concern about addiction, with roughly 18 million Americans believed to currently exhibit signs of cannabis use disorder. Then there are studies linking heavy and/or prolonged pot use to mental health problems, particularly among young people.

And healthcare providers say they’re seeing a rise in cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can cause nausea and vomiting in some frequent pot users.

Chris Agee December 4th, 2024

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