Six Things You Didn’t Know About Today’s Marijuana

• It’s not Your parents’ weed

Today’s marijuana plant material has an average THC potency of 18-23% vs. the 3% potency of the 70’s weed, and marijuana concentrates (vapes, waxes, buds, etc.) have an average potency of 56-99%.

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• It is used daily more than alcohol

Daily marijuana use among past year users age 12+ (24.4%) greatly exceeds daily use of alcohol. 15.7 million Americans 12+ report using marijuana daily, more than double the number of daily users since 2009.

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• It is addictive

22-30% of marijuana users have some form of Cannabis Use Disorder (addiction). Up to 47% of regular users experience withdrawal symptoms when they are not using.

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• It changes your brain

Daily users are 5x more likely to develop a severe mental illness such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, addiction and psychosis. Continued use of marijuana can cause permanent IQ loss which does not come back after quitting.

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• It Is linked to both mental and physical health harms

20,000 peer-reviewed studies link marijuana with mental health and physical health harms. These include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (repetitive cycles of nausea and vomiting), cancer, and heart conditions in addition to the mental health harms noted above.

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• Public opinion is changing.

In a 2024 Gallup poll, the majority of Americans believe marijuana has a negative impact on society (54%) and on marijuana users (51%). This is a 10% increase since 2022.

 

Marijuana in Michigan

Michigan’s marijuana industry is one of the largest in the nation.

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• Michigan is the nation’s #2 leading retailer of adult-use marijuana.

• Michigan sells more cannabis per capita than almost any other state.

• Michigan has more dispensaries per capita than any other state.

• 1 in 4 Michigan residents report past year cannabis use.

• Past month use in Michigan is greater than what is found in the Midwest and the nation.

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Consequently, people in Michigan have an above average risk.

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• 1 in 6 pregnant Michiganders use cannabis, nearly double the national average.

• 27% of Michiganders aged 50+ used THC products in the past year, far exceeding the national average.

• The number of Michigan employees testing positive for marijuana use and the rate of increase in use is greater than nationally.

• 21% of Michiganders admit to driving under the influence of marijuana.

• Michigan ranks 17 among the top 20 states for drug use and addiction.

• 37% of Michigan high school seniors have used marijuana in their lifetime, with over 22% having used it in the past 30 days.

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Sources

1. Smart Approaches to Marijuana 2026 Legalization Impact Report (specific sources cited in report). SAM-impact-report-2026-2027.pdf

2. University of Michigan Injury Center 2025 Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Michigan Report Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Michigan (2025) - Injury Prevention Center

3. University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, as quoted in Bridge Michigan 9/12/24 As marijuana stigma fades, 1 in 4 older Michiganders say they use pot - Bridge Michigan

4. As reported in Bridge Michigan and Chalkbeat Detroit, 5/13/24 Marijuana hospitalizing Michigan kids at ‘worrisome’ rate after legalization - Bridge Michigan

5. As cited by the Drug Free America Foundation, 2025 A statewide look at pregnancy involving marijuana use in Michigan - Drug Free America Foundation

6. Michigan Health and Human Services website, 2026 The Facts About Underage Marijuana Use

7. University of Michigan Institute for Health Care Policy and Innovation Older Michiganders more likely than other older Americans to use cannabis

8. Wallet Hub Study of Drug Use by State, 4/29/26 Drug Use by State in 2026

9. Wayne State University Perceptions of Marijuana Potency and Public Health Consequences of Marijuana, 2016 "Perceptions of marijuana potency and public health consequences of legalization " by Stella Resko, Kathryn Szechy et al.

10. The Marijuana Herald, July 24, 2025 Michigan Leads Nation in Per Capita Marijuana Sales, Followed by New Mexico, Montana, Missouri and Massachusetts

11. Cannabis Promotions, 2026 Cannabis Statistics 2026 — Market Size, Sales, Jobs & Consumer Data