A majority of Americans support marijuana legalization. Support for the drug's legalization has grown across demographic groups over time.
Seven-in-ten U.S. teens say anxiety and depression are major problems among their peers. Yet anxiety and depression aren't the only concerns for teens.
In the nearly two years since the 2016 presidential election, Americans’ views of the seriousness of several national problems have changed, with concerns about drug addiction, college affordability, sexism and racism on the rise.
The share of U.S. adults who support marijuana legalization is little changed from about a year ago – when 61% favored it – but it is double what it was in 2000 (31%).
The U.S. public’s concerns about drug addiction come amid increases in the number and rate of fatal drug overdoses across urban, suburban and rural communities.
Americans’ concerns about prescription drug abuse have risen over the past four years, with some of largest increases coming among well-educated adults.
It’s common for Americans to know someone with a current or past drug addiction – and it’s an experience that mostly cuts across demographic and partisan lines.
Today, 57% of U.S. adults say use of marijuana should be made legal, while 37% say it should be illegal. A decade ago, opinion was nearly the reverse.
Supporters of marijuana legalization cite its perceived health benefits, or see it as no more dangerous than other drugs. To opponents, it is a dangerous drug, one that inflicts damage on people and society more generally.
Republican Millennials, however, are not as supportive of marijuana legalization as their young Democratic and Democratic-leaning counterparts.
