These Are the US States With the Highest Weed Consumption Rates

Whether you call it marijuana, cannabis, or weed, the dried leaves, stems, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plants are universally recognized as a way to get high! This is because they contain mind-altering chemicals including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States.

People use weed in a number of ways. You can smoke it in hand-rolled cigarettes (often called joints) but it can also be smoked in pipes or bongs (water pipes). Some people avoid smoking by inhaling it through a vaporizer. A popular alternative is to ingest it. Take a look at these foods and drinks enhanced with CBD. Foods laced with marijuana are often called edibles and weed brownies, candy, and cookies are popular.

In the short term, THC and other chemicals pass into the blood from the intestines or lungs and travel to the brain. This process is slower with edibles than inhaling. The effect they have on the brain causes a ‘high’ which may alter senses, mood, and movement. They can also cause impaired memory hallucinations and delusions when taken in larger amounts. Long-term, there is some evidence that it affects brain development in teenagers.

Although weed is now legal in many states across the nation, it is still listed as a controlled substance federally, people across the country have been using marijuana for ages. 24/7 Tempo reviewed preliminary data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (published March 8, 2023, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to find the weed consumption by state. States are ranked by the percentage of the population 12 years and older who used marijuana in the past year. All marijuana use data is from the 2021 NSDUH.

The legal status of marijuana use in each state, last updated in February 2024, came from DISA, a third-party administrator of drug and alcohol testing, background screening, and more for employers.

Here is the most weed consumption by state, ranked

50. Texas

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 12.6% (total: 3,066,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 7.7% — 2nd lowest (total: 1,869,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

49. Alabama

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 12.7% (total: 537,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 7.4% — the lowest (total: 315,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

48. Utah

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 13.3% (total: 361,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 8.9% — 4th lowest (total: 242,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

47. South Dakota

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 13.7% (total: 100,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 8.4% — 3rd lowest (total: 62,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

46. North Carolina

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 13.7% (total: 1,219,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.7% — 7th lowest (total: 857,000)
• Is it legal?  Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: Yes

45. Nebraska

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 14.4% (total: 233,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.8% — 8th lowest (total: 159,000)
• Is it legal? –Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: Yes

44. Hawaii

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 14.9% (total: 175,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.4% — 6th lowest (total: 111,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

43. Florida

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.0% (total: 2,805,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 10.7% — 15th lowest (total: 1,996,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

42. Kentucky

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.2% (total: 573,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.9% — 11th lowest (total: 375,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only*; Decriminalized: No

41. Idaho

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.3% (total: 242,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 10.1% — 12th lowest (total: 161,000)
• Is it legal? Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: No

40. Arkansas

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.6% (total: 393,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.2% — 5th lowest (total: 233,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

39. Mississippi

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.6% (total: 383,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.9% — 22nd lowest (total: 291,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

38. South Carolina

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 15.6% (total: 687,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 10.4% — 13th lowest (total: 456,000)
• Is it legal? Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: No

37. New Jersey

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 16.3% (total: 1,285,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.7% — 19th lowest (total: 921,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

36. North Dakota

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 16.5% (total: 105,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.9% — 10th lowest (total: 63,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

35. West Virginia

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 16.6% (total: 253,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.8% — 21st lowest (total: 180,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

34. Tennessee

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 16.6% (total: 975,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 9.8% — 9th lowest (total: 579,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

33. Wisconsin

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 16.6% (total: 834,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.1% — 16th lowest (total: 558,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

32. Georgia

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 17.2% (total: 1,546,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.5% — 18th lowest (total: 1,032,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

31. Wyoming

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 17.2% (total: 84,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 10.6% — 14th lowest (total: 51,000)
• Is it legal? Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: No

30. Pennsylvania

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 17.5% (total: 1,934,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 12.6% — 25th highest (total: 1,395,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

29. Virginia

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 18.0% (total: 1,304,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 12.1% — 23rd lowest (total: 874,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

28. New Hampshire

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 18.5% (total: 225,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 12.4% — 25th lowest (total: 151,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

27. Minnesota

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 18.6% (total: 893,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 12.9% — 24th highest (total: 618,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

26. Missouri

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 18.6% (total: 963,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 14.3% — 18th highest (total: 742,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

25. Indiana

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 18.6% (total: 1,062,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.7% — 20th lowest (total: 668,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

24. Kansas

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.0% (total: 459,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 12.1% — 24th lowest (total: 294,000)
• Is it legal? Fully illegal: Medicinal use: No; Decriminalized: No

23. Louisiana

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.0% (total: 727,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 13.0% — 23rd highest (total: 497,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

22.

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.1% (total: 988,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 14.0% — 20th highest (total: 724,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

21. Delaware

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.2% (total: 164,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 15.0% — 16th highest (total: 128,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

20. Iowa

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.3% (total: 519,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 11.3% — 17th lowest (total: 303,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: CBD oil only; Decriminalized: No

19. Ohio

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.6% (total: 1,947,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 13.8% — 21st highest (total: 1,370,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

18. Connecticut

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 19.9% (total: 619,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 13.4% — 22nd highest (total: 418,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

17. California

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 20.8% (total: 6,886,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 14.2% — 19th highest (total: 4,704,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

16. Illinois

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 21.0% (total: 2,247,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 14.9% — 17th highest (total: 1,597,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

15. New York

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 21.1% (total: 3,578,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 15.4% — 15th highest (total: 2,601,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

14. Montana

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 21.6% (total: 203,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 15.5% — 14th highest (total: 146,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

13. Arizona

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 21.9% (total: 1,348,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.0% — 10th highest (total: 1,108,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

12. New Mexico

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 22.8% (total: 406,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.0% — 9th highest (total: 321,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

11. Oklahoma

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.2% (total: 794,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 16.6% — 13th highest (total: 546,000)
• Is it legal? Mixed: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: No

10. Rhode Island

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.2% (total: 229,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 17.5% — 11th highest (total: 166,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

9. Michigan

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.7% (total: 2,118,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.3% — 7th highest (total: 1,570,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

8. Colorado

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.7% (total: 1,217,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.6% — 3rd highest (total: 916,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

7. Nevada

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.8% (total: 659,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.2% — 8th highest (total: 483,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

6. Maine

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 24.8% (total: 298,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.5% — 5th highest (total: 222,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

5. Massachusetts

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 25.6% (total: 1,552,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 17.2% — 12th highest (total: 1,041,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

4. Washington

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 25.9% (total: 1,691,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.3% — 6th highest (total: 1,198,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

3. Alaska

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 27.0% (total: 158,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 20.9% — 2nd highest (total: 122,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

2. Oregon

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 28.8% (total: 1,052,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 18.5% — 4th highest (total: 678,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes

1. Vermont

• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past year: 30.8% (total: 175,000)
• Percentage of population (aged 12+) using Marijuana in past month: 22.3% — the highest (total: 127,000)
• Is it legal? Fully legal: Medicinal use: Yes; Decriminalized: Yes