Research is raising alarms about high-potency cannabis, a concern emphasized by Fox News senior medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel. He explains that the high levels of THC in cannabis are increasing addiction risks and causing negative impacts on mental health, especially in young people with developing brains. According to him, claims that cannabis alleviates anxiety and depression are often false, leading to more emergency room visits.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports from its 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health that marijuana is the most frequently used daily drug among Americans. The survey shows 21.4 million people use marijuana daily or nearly every day, overtaking the 19.9 million who smoke cigarettes and the 17.2 million who consume alcohol.
The survey, which includes data on Americans aged 12 and older, classifies daily or nearly daily marijuana usage as occurring on 300 or more days in the past year. Daily cigarette usage is defined as smoking all 30 days of the previous month. The number of frequent marijuana users increased by 21% from 2022 to 2025, growing from 17.7 to 21.4 million users, with a significant rise of 2.8 million users between 2021 and 2022.
The surge in marijuana usage is predominantly seen in adults aged 26 and older, according to SAMHSA. The number of adults over 18 using marijuana daily or near daily climbed by 22%, from 17.2 million to 20.9 million, between 2021 and 2025.
Despite marijuana’s high daily usage, alcohol remains the most broadly used substance, with around 129 million people drinking alcohol versus 43.8 million using marijuana in the last month. General marijuana use increased from 13.2% to 15.1% from 2021 to 2025.
Tobacco usage continues to decline, falling from 20.1% of Americans in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025. A recent Modern Health report highlights more workers using substances like THC to manage stress, with Gen Z workers more frequently choosing marijuana over alcohol after work.
Siegel points to the rising THC content in cannabis as a significant concern, linking it to impaired mental performance, judgment, and memory, as well as an increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents. He argues that public acceptance of marijuana is rising due to a lack of awareness about its risks, contrasting with growing awareness of the dangers of cigarettes and alcohol.
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