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Majority of Americans believe marijuana is less harmful than other substances, Gallup poll says

By Daniel Miller
Published  August 20, 2024 11:52am CDT
Cannabis
Fox TV Stations
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FILE-A pro-cannabis activist holds up a marijuana cigarette during a rally in Washington, D.C. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Brief 

    • A recent Gallup poll shows two-thirds of people believe marijuana is less harmful compared to other substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco.
    • Meanwhile, most respondents in the survey say cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes or vaping are more harmful substances.
    • However, people in the survey agreed all substances mentioned in the poll can be harmful.

A majority of people believe marijuana is less harmful compared to other substances like cigarettes and alcohol, according to a new Gallup poll. 

The analytics and advisory company surveyed people to share their thoughts on the harmfulness of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, nicotine patches, alcohol and marijuana compared to those who use the substances. 

While there was agreement among respondents that all these substances can be harmful, the percentage was lower for marijuana with two-thirds of people saying it is very harmful (26%) or somewhat harmful (40%).

RELATED: Americans' perceptions of the harmfulness of marijuana have worsened, Gallup poll finds

When asked about the negative impacts of other substances, nine in 10 people said they believe cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes or vaping are harmful, including a majority of people calling each very harmful.

People who use these substances varied among the groups surveyed with 13% saying they smoke marijuana, while 12% of adults say they consume edibles, compared to 11% of Americans who say they smoke cigarettes. Additionally, seven percent of people say they vape or use e-cigarettes. But alcohol use among respondents was higher with 58% of adults saying they occasionally drink.

Gallup asked a separate question about substances that are more harmful as part of a report examining the effects of marijuana use which included data from a July 1-21 Consumption Habits poll conducted by the organization.

The Source 

  • Information for this story was provided by Gallup data from a July 1-21 Consumption Habits poll conducted by the organization.  This story was reported from Washington, D.C.