US Study: Youngsters Not Using Cannabis to ‘Get Out of It’ But to ‘Get Into It’

This report from Ganjapreneur, published on 18 May 2026

Sixty-seven percent of Gen Zers consume cannabis, with 28% reporting daily use, according to an EduBirdie survey published last month.

Consumption patterns:

– 28% – every day;

– 18% –  a few times a week;

–             8% saying they used it a few times a month,

–             13% saying they only consumed cannabis on special occasions, and

–             6% saying they only tried cannabis once. 

–             27% of those polled said they have never tried cannabis.  

Cannabis spend

–             27% said they spend between $50 and $100 monthly on cannabis;

–             21% spend between $100 and $200; 

–             16% spend between $20 and $50; 

–             12% spend less than $20; 

–             11% spend between $200 and $500;

–             10% spend nothing at all; and

–             3% spend more than $500.  

Planning Getting Stoned

–             48% before a family event,

–             36% before a date;

–             26% before a work meeting; 

–             27% before an exam;

–             25% before a job interview;

–             22% before a class or lecture;

–             15% before a team building event.

–             29% of respondents said they had not consumed cannabis before any important event. 

The majority (55%) of respondents said they don’t consume cannabis while working from home, in the office, or on campus; while 35%, 17%, and 12% of respondents, respectively, admitted to consuming cannabis in those places. 

Cannabis Use

–             53% – to relieve stress

–             29% to improve creativity, 

–             22% to improve performance;

–             16% found it caused anxiety,

–             14% said it causes forgetfulness;

–             2% of respondents said cannabis had “no noticeable effects.”

Most respondents said that cannabis has no negative impact on their lives; however,

–             17% said they had spent money they couldn’t afford on cannabis;

–             15% had serious arguments with their family about their cannabis use; and

–             12% had suffered physically or mentally. 

The majority of respondents (68%) said they had never suffered negative effects from someone else’s cannabis use. 

Openess

The survey also found

–             42% of respondents were completely open about their cannabis use,

–             13% said they hid it from a partner or family;

–             12% hid it from co-workers; and

–             10% hid it from their friends.  

The survey included 2,000 U.S. Gen Z participants (ages 21-29) recruited online.   

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