How much did cannabis use spike in NY after legalization? Here are the numbers

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June 26. 2025

June 26. 2025Cannabis use among adult New Yorkers jumped nearly 16% in the first two years after recreational marijuana was legalized in 2021, as more than 2 million adults ages 18 and older reported using the drug, a new health survey found.

The uptick in marijuana use by adult New Yorkers was even more pronounced when compared to pre-legalization, spiking about 24% between 2018 and 2023 in that 18-plus age group, according to a state Health Department report.

How many adult New Yorkers are using cannabis?

Other findings of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey included:

• A total of 14.7% of adults ages 18 and older (or about 2.3 million New Yorkers) reported consuming cannabis within the past 30 days in 2023, up from 12.7% in 2021.

• Nearly 7% of that overall group of cannabis users in 2023 (or about 1.1 million New Yorkers) reported using marijuana "daily or near daily."

• The most common method was smoking marijuana, with about 62% of users lighting up joints, blunts or using bongs/pipes. Cannabis-infused food or drinks (known as edibles) accounted for about 18% of users, while nearly 17% were using electronic vaporizing devices.

• Nearly 55% of adults using marijuana reported using the drug for non-medical reasons, while only 15% were using it solely for medical reasons.

• About 32% of adults ages 21 to 24 reported using cannabis within the past 30 days — the highest rates of cannabis use among different age groups. Strikingly, the next-highest usage rate was 24% among ages 18 to 20, despite the fact state law prohibited use under age 21.

  
  

The survey, which was conducted by telephone through a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual public health program, also reinforced some concerning trends about addictive behaviors among New Yorkers. It found:

• About 38% of marijuana users were also binge or heavy drinkers of alcohol.

• Nearly 28% of marijuana users had "frequent mental distress," meaning they reported problems with stress, depression or emotions on at least 14 of the previous 30 days.

• About 55% of marijuana users were also reporting they were e-cigarette users, while 25% were tobacco smokers.

How is New York monitoring cannabis use?

New York health officials noted the survey provided "a snapshot of adult cannabis consumption" in New York, as scientific research continued to dig into the potential negative health effects of marijuana use.

The research has focused, in part, on short- and long-term effects of cannabis consumption, including the potential effects on the parts of the brain responsible for memory and reaction time, as well as impacts on the lungs if smoked or inhaled, health officials noted.

Studies have also looked at cannabis use links to schizophrenia, particularly in individuals with a family history of serious mental illness, as well as potential cardiovascular health risks.

The survey release comes after the USA TODAY Network in April revealed cannabis-related emergency room visits in New York leaped nearly 57% in the initial two years after the state legalized adult-use recreational marijuana in 2021.

State health officials urged "New Yorkers who choose to consume cannabis, to do so safely and responsibly,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement, noting that includes making sure any cannabis is safely stored and out of reach of children and pets."

“It’s also critical to never drive after consuming cannabis," he added, directing New Yorkers to visit the Health Department website, at health.ny.gov, for further details about health and safety implications of marijuana use.

What else do we know about NY marijuana users?

Among the other cannabis-use survey findings:

• About 36% of marijuana users reporting being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and/or intersex. By contrast, about 13% reported being heterosexual/straight and cisgender.

• Of marijuana users, 17% reported being employed, while 16% reported being unemployed. Another 11% reported they were not in the labor force.

• About 37% of marijuana users reported being multiracial, non-Hispanic, while 16% reported being Black, non-Hispanic and 16% reported being white, non-Hispanic. There were 11% reported as being Hispanic and 10% reported as being Asian, non-Hispanic.

For further details about the survey results, visit the health.ny.gov webpage created for the report.