A new national study has revealed a sharp increase in marijuana blunt use across the United States from 2015 to 2022, reflecting broader shifts in cannabis consumption and cultural acceptance.
Researchers from several major universities—including the University of Texas, Brown University, UCLA, and the University of Cincinnati—analyzed data from over 326,000 adults through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Their findings, published in Addictive Behaviors, show that lifetime blunt use rose by 21.7 percent over the eight-year period. Even more striking, past 30-day use climbed by 34.4 percent, while daily blunt smoking among current cannabis users jumped 24.5 percent.
The rise in blunt use was not limited to traditional user groups. Women, older adults, and non-drinkers—demographics previously less likely to report blunt consumption—showed some of the largest increases. Lifetime blunt use grew significantly among non-Hispanic White (up 23.7 percent) and Hispanic (up 30.2 percent) individuals, compared to an 8.6 percent increase among non-Hispanic Black adults.
Among current users, women saw a 63.6 percent increase in past-month blunt use, compared to 19 percent among men. Non-alcohol users experienced a surge of 92.3 percent, far outpacing the 23.4 percent rise among those who drink. Daily use saw the steepest jump among non-Hispanic White users, increasing by 80.4 percent, while remaining relatively unchanged among non-Hispanic Black users.
While the upward trend mirrors the general normalization of cannabis across the country, researchers warned that blunt smoking carries unique health risks. Because blunts are rolled using tobacco cigar wrappers, they expose users to both cannabis and tobacco, potentially compounding health hazards linked to smoke inhalation.
The study’s authors emphasize the need for continued research into the health impacts of blunt use, particularly as legalization spreads and social attitudes evolve. They also suggest that public health messaging should differentiate between various methods of cannabis consumption, highlighting the distinct risks associated with tobacco-containing products.
As legalization continues to expand, experts believe patterns like these will play an increasingly important role in shaping both public perception and health policy related to cannabis in the years ahead.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
