Poll: 91% of Adults Who Have Used Cannabis Did So for Health and Wellness Purposes

A Harris Poll survey released Wednesday found that 91% of adults 21-and-older who have ever used cannabis have done so for health and wellness purposes. The poll was conducted on behalf of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

The poll found that 75% of respondents would prefer holistic health solutions over pharmaceuticals with 62% saying they would prefer to use cannabis rather than pharmaceutical drugs for a medical issue.

More than half (52%) of survey respondents said they preferred to use cannabis to relax, 49% to help with sleep, 44% to reduce stress, and 41% to reduce anxiety.     

In a press release, Dr. Stacia Woodcock, clinical cannabis pharmacist for Curaleaf New York, noted that “There are a wide variety of ways to consume cannabis safely, and many formulations actually have minimal intoxicating effects.”

“Educating consumers on how cannabis can be leveraged to support everyday health and wellness needs is critical to destigmatizing the plant and providing consumers with more choices to best fit their personal lifestyle. … Different product options with various ratios of THC and CBD give patients the opportunity to consume cannabis in a way that works with their lifestyle and comfort level.” — Woodcock in a statement

The survey also found that 88% of individuals who have consumed cannabis as an alternative and/or in addition to pharmaceutical treatments feel that doing so improved their overall well-being and 86% of those who have consumed cannabis for health or wellness would recommend cannabis to a friend or family member for medical purposes.

The survey included nearly 2,000 adults in the U.S.