Most Americans Have Tried Weed, Survey Says

A new Yahoo News/Marist Poll got in the weeds on marijuana use in America and discovered that 52 percent of Americans have tried it.

The "Weed & the American Family" survey examined how Americans feel about marijuana use in relation to its effect on relationships, the legalization debate and its malleability as a social norm. As NBC News points out, the survey is aptly timed to this Thursday's 4/20, "the unofficial holiday of cannabis culture" that comes every April 20.

Of those who have tried the drug, 65 percent are parents and 30 percent have children under age 18. Just 21 percent of Americans – parents or not, but asked to think like one – put marijuana as a leading concern for their children, compared to cigarettes at 24 percent and alcohol at the same 21 percent.

The survey also found that 44 percent of people who have tried marijuana still use it. Marist Poll conducted the survey of 1,122 adults early last month and partnered with Yahoo News for the effort.

Survey questions included those like "Do you support or oppose legalizing the use of marijuana for medical treatment?" (83 percent are in favor) and "Do you think the Trump administration should be tougher, not as tough, or about as tough as the Obama administration on enforcing federal laws against the recreational use of marijuana?" (30 percent tougher, 38 percent not as tough, 27 percent about as tough as the Obama administration).

The legal use of marijuana for medical reasons has significantly more support than legalizing it for recreation. Just 49 percent of people support legalizing it for fun, with 47 percent opposing.

Recreational pot use is legal in eight states and the District of Columbia, NBC News reports. Most states have legalized medical marijuana products.