Americans are standing up for Marijuana - Pew Research Center Survey Findings Show US Supports Cannabis

Following the ever growing ridiculous “SMART campaigns,” mentioned in one of our last articles about the growing fear-mongering around marijuana, you'll see posts about ridiculous studies and findings that are very clearly not scientifically accurate. In the replies of any one of these almost intentionally rage bait posts, you can see thousands of Americans and their fellow Canadians posting links to not only our article and similar pro-medical news pieces, but actual scientific studies, or comedic replies such as “Paid for by Big Pharma” or “Now do Alcohol.” (1)

As recently as this morning, we've seen HighTimes Magazine post about SAM Action. 

No matter how you look at it, it seems Americans are pro-mary-jane and it's becoming more acceptable as legalization spreads across the country. It's becoming harder to fool Americans and Canadians into believing fear tactics when they are educated and have personal experience that tell them otherwise. 

A new Pew Research Center survey of 25 countries found Americans are among the least likely in the world to say using marijuana is morally wrong, once again saying a lot in regards to the view of the herb in the U.S. having shifted as legalization spreads nationally. 

According to the independent Pew Research survey, 76% of US adults said marijuana use is morally acceptable or not a moral issue while 23% of U.S. adults said marijuana use is morally unacceptable. Among the 25 countries included in the poll, only Canada had a lower share of adults saying marijuana use is morally wrong, at 19%. The 25-country median was 52%, putting the U.S. far below the global midpoint on moral opposition to marijuana.

The results place the U.S. alongside a small group of countries where moral objections to marijuana use are relatively uncommon. By comparison, 24% in Australia and 25% in Germany said marijuana use is morally unacceptable, while the figure climbed to 50% in Italy, 56% in Mexico, 59% in Sweden, 80% in South Korea, 82% in Turkey, 83% in Nigeria and 93% in Indonesia. (2)

According to the survey, opposition or the view that marijuana use is unacceptable or immoral is most common among the uneducated and most popular among women. 

The survey was not just about marijuana usage but a detailed report of the opinions of 25 countries and their view on the morality of nine specific behaviors including but not limited to marijuana usage, gambling, extramarital affairs, the use of contraceptives, drinking alcohol and homosexuality to name a few. (3)

Turns out, even though Americans are definitely leaning towards a pro marijuana Nation, surprisingly, they are more likely to judge each other based on the other specific behaviors that were also studied by the research team. This finding tells us Americans don't find marijuana use to be a negative or problematic behavior anymore. This is a huge step for us as a country. 

Pew Research Center’s findings are laid out in extensive detail based on the country, sex, and age of the study participant. To see the full study results visit: Pew Research - In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad 

Who is the Pew Research Center?

The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C. It provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends shaping the United States and the world. Pew conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, and social science studies to provide objective data and analysis on a wide range of social and political issues, funded primarily by The Pew Charitable Trusts. It functions as a research organization focused on informing the public and policymakers without taking policy positions. It's a 501(c)(3) organization that remains independent of political parties and doesn't advocate for specific policies.

Sources:

1. Who's Behind 'SMART' Campaigns to End Adult Use Sales? - https://naturalhealthycbd.com/news/whos-behind-smart-campaigns-to-end-adult-use-sales/

2. The Marijuana Herald - New Pew Poll Shows Only 23% of Americans Say Marijuana Use is Morally Wrong - https://themarijuanaherald.com/2026/03/pew-poll-only-23-of-americans-say-marijuana-use-is-morally-wrong/

3. Pew Research - In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad - https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/03/05/in-25-country-survey-americans-especially-likely-to-view-fellow-citizens-as-morally-bad/