Research Findings on Cannabis Usage
New studies have highlighted the potential dangers of high-potency cannabis. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical contributor to Fox News, has expressed concern about the elevated levels of THC contributing to addiction and negative mental health impacts, especially in young brains.
Siegel argues that claims of cannabis providing relief for anxiety and depression are misleading. These misconceptions lead to increased emergency room visits.
Rising Marijuana Usage in America
The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports 21.4 million Americans using marijuana daily or almost daily. This figure is higher than the 19.9 million who smoke cigarettes daily and the 17.2 million who drink alcohol.
Understanding Usage Patterns
The survey defines daily or near-daily use as consuming marijuana on at least 300 days in the last year. From 2022 to 2025, daily marijuana users increased by 21%, rising from 17.7 million to 21.4 million. Most of this increase is among adults aged 26 and older.
Adults aged 18 and older saw a 22% rise in daily marijuana use, reaching 20.9 million. Alcohol remains more widely used, with 129 million users in the prior month compared to 43.8 million marijuana users.
Trends in Substance Usage
General marijuana use increased from 13.2% to 15.1% between 2021 and 2025. Conversely, cigarette and tobacco usage fell from 20.1% to 15.9% in this period.
Impacts on Workforce Stress Management
A report from Modern Health, a workplace mental health platform, raised alarms over increasing self-medication trends among workers. A survey conducted in April 2026 with 1,000 employees found that 63% use some form of self-medication after work. Among Generation Z workers, 59% use marijuana compared to 50% who consume alcohol.
Expert Opinions on Cannabis Usage Risks
Dr. Siegel describes the SAMHSA findings as indicating a “very disturbing trend”. He critiques the claimed benefits of cannabis for pain, insomnia, and anxiety management, citing an increase in anxiety among those with existing mental health conditions.
Increasing THC levels in cannabis products pose risks, affecting mental performance, judgment, and memory. Siegel links THC to a rise in fatal road accidents, believing acceptance of marijuana fuels a hazardous trend.
Siegel supports reducing marijuana use awareness, contrasting with a broader understanding of alcohol and cigarettes dangers. Angelica Stabile, a lifestyle reporter for Fox News, contributes to this dialogue.