American Psychiatric Association's Survey Reveals Public Perception of Safety and Addictiveness of Cannabis and Other Substances

In a news release from June 8, 2023, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) discussed results from its national survey on Americans’ usage of and opinions on cigarettes, alcohol, opioids, vapes, technology, and cannabis (1). Over 2200 Americans were polled in April of 2023 by APA and Morning Consult, which is part of APA’s Healthy Minds Monthly regular polls (1).

According to one section of the results, cigarettes were viewed as a very or somewhat addictive substance/behavior by 87% of respondents, followed by alcohol (84%) and prescribed opioids (83%) (1). Comparatively, cannabis/marijuana was considered by 64% to be very or somewhat addictive (1).

Out of the 2200 respondents, 38% said cannabis was very or somewhat unsafe, and 13% said they used it daily (1). Only technology was seen a safer substance, and 67% said they used it daily (1). Cigarettes were reported by the most respondents as very or somewhat unsafe (84%) (1).

According to its website, APA was founded in 1844 and currently has more than 38,000 physician members (1).

Reference

1. New APA Poll finds Americans rate cigarettes as most unsafe, addictive substance among options surveyed https://www.psychiatry.org/News-room/News-Releases/New-APA-Poll-Finds-Americans-Rate-Cigarettes-as-Mo (accessed Jun 14, 2023).