Most Americans Say Marijuana Is A ‘Healthier Option’ Than Alcohol, And A Majority Expect Nationwide Legalization Within Five Years, Poll Finds

A majority of Americans believe marijuana represents a “healthier option” than alcohol—and most also expect cannabis to be legal in all 50 states within the next five years—according to a new poll.

The MRI-Simmons 2025 National Cannabis Study offer a wide range of data points on public opinion and consumer trends concerning marijuana, touching on the economics, health impact and policy considerations for cannabis.

One of the more notable findings is that 61 percent of respondents agreed that marijuana is a healthier choice compared to alcohol, which comports with other surveys that reveal shifts in consumer behavior and perceptions of harm. Among people who’ve used marijuana in the past six months, 87 percent said cannabis was healthier than alcohol.

“This shift in perception is critical for marketers. Cannabis is no longer competing with tobacco or alcohol, but it’s carving out its own space in the wellness economy,” Emily Williams, a research manager at MRI-Simmons, said. “Brands that position cannabis as part of a holistic lifestyle will resonate with a growing audience that values self-care, mindfulness, and natural remedies.”

To that point, the survey also found that 73 percent of U.S. adults believe marijuana carries health benefits, and 67 percent said cannabis is good for both the body and mind.

Overall, 62 percent of respondents said that marijuana should be federally legalized, while 64 percent said they expect cannabis to be legal in all 50 states within five years.

Asked about related cannabis policy issues, 70 percent said that legalization would help reduce illegal drug trafficking, 63 percent said they back expunging past convictions for cannabis-related offenses and 52 percent voiced support for prioritizing marijuana business licensing for people who have faced the consequences of criminalization.

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Further, 67 percent of American adults said that banks should be able to service state-licensed cannabis businesses—a reform that’s advanced through the U.S. House of Representatives multiple times but has yet to be enacted. Another 59 percent said they’d be more likely to support a political candidate who backs legalization.

Three in four adults (74 percent) said legalization is a “smart way to boost tax revenue,” and 73 percent “see dispensaries as valuable contributors to local economies,” the survey found.

And while prohibitionists have frequently argued that support for legalization doesn’t translate into support for allowing cannabis retailers in a person’s community, the poll found that 65 percent are “willing to welcome a dispensary in their own city,” while 54 percent expressed openness to investing in the cannabis industry.

As far as cannabis travel experiences are concerned, the poll found that 26 percent of adults are interested in cannabis friendly resorts, 25 percent said the same of marijuana friendly hotels and 21 percent are inclined to visit a cannabis bed-and-breakfast.

With respect to cannabis dining experiences, ordering infused items at a restaurant and marijuana social consumption lounges, 20 percent of adults said they’re interested, while 17 percent expressed the same sentiment toward cannabis dispensary bus tours.

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“As cannabis becomes more mainstream, we can expect continued momentum in legalization, innovation in product development, and expansion into new consumer categories,” Williams said. “The data show that Americans are ready: they want legal access, economic opportunity, and health-conscious options.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s approval rating on marijuana policy remains largely underwater among cannabis consumers, according to the latest quarterly NuggMD-Marijuana Moment tracking poll. And while many stakeholders were encouraged to see the president share a video touting the health benefits of CBD, a majority of consumers don’t see it as an indication the administration will be moving forward with cannabis rescheduling.

The quarterly approval survey, as well as a separate flash poll that followed Trump’s CBD post, indicate that, without meaningful action on marijuana rescheduling, many consumers remain skeptical that reform action is imminent—despite the president’s commitment in late August to decide on the issue within weeks.

Last month, another poll showed that a majority of Americans don’t consider marijuana dangerous, though most do think consuming cannabis increases the likelihood that people will transition to using more dangerous drugs.

A survey from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), which was conducted by the firm Forbes Tate Partners, showed that seven in 10 American voters want to see the end of federal marijuana prohibition—and nearly half say they’d view the Trump administration more favorably if it took action on the issue.

Earlier this year, meanwhile, a firm associated with Trump—Fabrizio, Lee & Associates—also polled Americans on a series of broader marijuana policy issues. Notably, it found that a majority of Republicans back cannabis rescheduling—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.