New US government survey data show marijuana has overtaken both alcohol and cigarettes as the substance Americans use most on a daily or near-daily basis. The finding, drawn from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, marks a significant shift in American consumption habits and comes amid growing concern from health experts about the rising potency of modern cannabis products and their links to addiction and mental health problems, particularly among younger users.

The survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found 21.4 million Americans use marijuana daily or near-daily, compared with 19.9 million daily cigarette smokers and 17.2 million daily drinkers. Medical experts cited in the report, including Fox News senior medical contributor Dr Marc Siegel, warned that increased THC levels in modern cannabis are contributing to addiction and adverse mental health effects, especially in developing brains, and cautioned that claims of cannabis easing anxiety and depression are often unfounded, with high-potency use instead linked to a rise in emergency room visits.