Tracking the prevalence of drug use in the United States allows federal agencies to identify trends and address emerging health concerns, informing public health policy and resource allocation. Based on recent federal reporting, Cannabis (Marijuana) is the most commonly used illicit drug among persons aged 12 and older. This consistent finding directs substantial federal attention toward the health impacts associated with this substance.
Identifying the Most Commonly Used Illicit Drug
Cannabis is the most frequently reported illicit substance used by the American population. In the most recent data year, approximately 61.9 million people aged 12 or older reported using the drug within the past year. This represents a substantial prevalence rate of 22.0% across this broad demographic.
The federal government classifies Cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification defines it as a drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The federal definition of “illicit” is maintained in these national reports, regardless of any state-level decriminalization or legalization for medical or recreational purposes. Therefore, for the purpose of national drug use surveillance, all non-prescribed use of Cannabis is counted as illicit.
The past-year use rate means that more than one in five Americans in the surveyed age range engaged with the substance at least once. This high prevalence is the primary reason Cannabis is consistently identified as the most common illicit drug in the country.
Understanding the Data Source and Methodology
These statistics are compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The agency conducts the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a large, nationally representative survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older. The NSDUH is the primary mechanism the federal government uses to monitor the extent of substance use and mental illness across the country.
The survey relies on confidential interviews to gather self-reported information on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. The definition of “illicit drugs” used in the NSDUH is comprehensive, encompassing substances like heroin and cocaine, as well as the misuse of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs. Misuse refers to using a prescription drug in any way other than as prescribed, such as taking more than the prescribed amount or using it without a prescription. The NSDUH captures data on drug use patterns, including both past-year and past-month prevalence.
Prevalence of Use Among Key Demographics
Analyzing the overall use rates by specific age cohorts reveals distinct patterns of Cannabis consumption in the United States. The population is segmented into adolescents (aged 12 to 17), young adults (aged 18 to 25), and adults (aged 26 or older). Among these groups, young adults consistently report the highest rates of Cannabis use.
In the most recent reporting period, the past-year prevalence of Cannabis use was highest among young adults, with 38.2% of individuals in the 18-to-25 age bracket reporting use. This rate is nearly double that of the next highest group, the adults aged 26 or older, who reported a 20.6% past-year use rate. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported the lowest rate, with 11.5% engaging with the substance in the past year.
This pattern indicates that the transition from adolescence into young adulthood is associated with a sharp increase in the likelihood of Cannabis use. The demographic breakdown highlights the need for targeted public health initiatives aimed at this specific age cohort. Even when examining current use, defined as use within the past month, the overall rate remains substantial at 15.0% of the entire population aged 12 or older.
Ranking the Next Most Prevalent Illicit Substances
While Cannabis dominates the illicit drug landscape, other substance categories follow in prevalence. The second most common category of illicit engagement is the misuse of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. Approximately 14.2 million people reported misuse in the past year.
Following prescription drug misuse, hallucinogens represent the third most prevalent category of illicit use, with an estimated 8.5 million people aged 12 or older reporting use in the past year.
The misuse of prescription pain relievers alone constitutes a significant portion of the total, with 8.457 million people reporting misuse in the past year. Cocaine, which includes crack cocaine, ranks further down the list, with an estimated 5.3 million past-year users.