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- 79.4% of U.S. adult cannabis users still smoke marijuana, but newer methods are gaining ground fast.
- 41.6% of users consume marijuana edibles, and 30.3% prefer vaping marijuana.
- Edibles pose a higher risk of accidental overconsumption due to delayed effects.
- Vaping-related lung injuries have been tied to synthetic additives in unregulated products.
- Despite increasing adult cannabis use, teen use has dropped from 23% to 17% over the past decade.
More people are using cannabis now, and the ways they use it are changing a lot as it becomes legal in more places. Smoking is still most common, but marijuana edibles and vaping marijuana are getting popular fast. These new ways of using cannabis bring up questions about safety, what people like, and how their life affects their choice.
CDC Reports: Smoking Still Dominates—But the Gap Is Closing
According to CDC facts from 2022, 15.3% of U.S. adults used marijuana last month, and 7.9% used it every day (CDC, 2024). Smoking is still the main way people use it (79.4% of current users), but other ways are catching up fast. An interesting fact is that 46.7% of adults said they use cannabis in more than one way. This means people combine how they use it, maybe smoking when they are with friends, vaping marijuana for fast effects or to be discreet, and using marijuana edibles for longer relaxation or sleep. This suggests users are learning more and are more thoughtful about how they use cannabis.
More People Are Using Edibles and Vaping: The Numbers
More people have used marijuana edibles and vaping marijuana since 2016. They use them more often, and they are more common to see. The CDC's new facts show people are choosing ways to use it based on how it feels, if it's healthy, and if it's easy.
- Marijuana edibles usage rose to 41.6% among past-month cannabis users
- Vaping marijuana climbed to 30.3%
This growth is partly because more states have made it legal. This lets stores make and sell new products like sugar-free THC gummies, special drinks, or vape pods with heat control. People accept cannabis more in everyday life, partly because of media, health areas, and famous people supporting it. This has helped make it seem normal. So, more first-time users and medical marijuana patients are trying methods that don't involve smoking. These methods might feel less scary or shameful.
Edibles vs. Vapes vs. Smoking: Why People Are Changing How They Use It
Several reasons explain why marijuana edibles and vaping marijuana are getting more popular than regular smoking. These include:
Discretion
Smoking cannabis makes a strong smell and visible smoke. But marijuana edibles and vape pens make it possible to use THC without being noticed. This quiet way of using it is very helpful in cities, places where people share homes, and jobs where smoking is not allowed or not liked.
Vape pens make little smell and look like regular e-cigarettes, so they are hard to tell apart. Edibles, like chocolates or gummies, are not as obvious as smoking a joint. And they don't need any stuff like papers or lighters.
Convenience
Lighting a joint, dealing with ash, or carrying rolling papers is not easy for everyone. Vape pens are portable, rechargeable, and simple to use at the press of a button. Marijuana edibles are even easier to use. They come with a set dose, last a long time on a shelf, and often taste the same as regular snacks.
Drinks with cannabis, capsules, and drops you put under your tongue now make it even easier to use. They give choices as simple as coffee or daily vitamins.
How Safe People Think They Are
Smoking anything, including cannabis, can harm your lungs. Burning makes tar, carbon monoxide, and other bad stuff go into your lungs. Many see vaping and especially edibles as "cleaner" methods.
But what people think isn't always what science shows. Edibles don't go into the lungs at all, but they have certain risks linked to how much you take. Also, how safe vaping is depends a lot on how well they are made and checked.
Still, the idea that not smoking is healthier has made many cannabis users think differently about how they use it.
Young Adults Are Leading the Way
Younger users, especially those aged 18–34, are leading the way for more use of different ways to use cannabis. CDC data shows one in four in this age group uses marijuana currently, and one in eight does so daily (CDC, 2024).
This group tends to care more about health, being healthy, convenience, and how things look. Social media, nice packaging, and connecting cannabis to life goals (like less stress, being creative, and sleeping) make younger adults more likely to try tech ways like vaping marijuana or try special marijuana edibles.
Dabbing and cannabis concentrates are also popular with this group, but they can be too strong for some. These choices show a bigger idea in culture: cannabis is not just for fun; it's something you can change how you do it to fit you.
Are Edibles and Vaping Actually Safer? Let’s Break It Down
Marijuana edibles and vaping are sold as cleaner choices than smoking, so it's easy to think they are always safer. But the truth is more complex and depends on the method.
Edibles
- Pros: No smoke, discreet, long-lasting effects
- Cons: Takes longer to kick in (30-90 mins), easy to overconsume, can trigger paranoia or anxiety in high doses
Because THC is metabolized in the liver, edible highs tend to last longer and feel more intense. Taking a second dose too soon because you don't feel it yet is a common cause of bad effects. Medical help needed for edibles is usually from taking too much by mistake, not poisoning. This is especially true for children who think edibles are candy.
Vaping Marijuana
- Pros: Less odor, precise control with modern devices, fast-acting
- Cons: Health issues tied to poor-quality products, risk of contaminants
In 2019, a nationwide string of vaping-related lung injuries—known as EVALI—was linked to vitamin E acetate in illicit THC cartridges. Companies with licenses have made their making process better since then. But users still need to be careful about buying from trusted brands that test their products in a lab.
Smoking
- Pros: Quick onset, social ritual, simple tools
- Cons: Lung irritation, tar exposure, less precision with dosing
Despite being the most traditional method, smoking remains harsh on the lungs, especially for daily users. Smoking joints also means burning rolling papers and sometimes tobacco, which makes lung worries worse.
Health Risks by Method: What the Science and Reports Suggest
The way you use cannabis affects not just how it feels, but also what your body takes in and possible risks:
Vaping Risks
- High temperatures used to vaporize oil can still release carcinogens
- Poor-quality products may contain residual solvents or synthetic chemicals
- EVALI emphasized the danger of unregulated THC cartridges
Edibles Risks
- Delayed effects can result in unintentional overdosing
- Children and pets are especially at risk when marijuana edibles are left unsecured
- Psychotropic episodes are more likely with high-dose ingestion
Concentrates and Dabbing
- Cannabis concentrates contain 70–90% THC (compared to 10–30% in flower)
- More likely to produce dependency or tolerance
- Linked to stronger neurological responses and potential mental health impacts in susceptible users
Each method interacts with your body differently. By knowing these details, users can make smart choices that fit their health and safety aims.
Why Consumption Method Matters to Experience
The method you choose has a significant impact on how cannabis affects your mind and body:
| Method | Onset Time | Duration | Intensity | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | 5–10 minutes | 1–3 hours | Moderate–Strong | Social settings |
| Vaping | 5–10 minutes | 1–2 hours | Mild–Moderate | Discreet/on-the-go |
| Edibles | 30–90 minutes | 4–8 hours | Strong–Long-lasting | Relaxation, sleep |
| Dabbing | Instant | 1–2 hours | Very intense | Experienced users |
Choosing the right method and dose for what you want, like calming down after work, being more creative, or dealing with long-lasting pain, is the key to using cannabis in a good way.
More People Are Using Cannabis in Different Ways
People who use cannabis in different ways combine two or more methods based on the time, place, and what they want to happen. Almost half (46.7%) of Americans who use marijuana use different types (CDC, 2024). This shows they know a lot about the plant.
Some examples:
- Edibles for nighttime use and vaping during daytime errands
- Smoking joints with friends but microdosing edibles during the week
- Using low-THC vape pens for anxiety but enjoying full-spectrum products on weekends
Tools like Purple Rose Supply’s cannagar mold are made for this way of combining methods. They let you make slow-burning, high-quality cannabis cigars (cannagars). And they allow for tech customization.
Using Cannabis Now That It's Not Seen as Bad: A Lifestyle Change
Cannabis is not seen as bad like it used to be. Now that it's legal and people know more, users want good quality, safety, and nicer products.
You can see this change in:
- Special cannabis stores with a simple, clean look like an Apple store
- Special cannabis boxes you get regularly
- People online talking about using it wisely and how it helps with health
Gone are the days of back-alley purchases and mystery strains. Today’s users want tools that improve their experience, not just make it easier. Being able to change things, feeling good, and thinking about why you use it shape the modern way of using cannabis.
Teen Use Falling Despite Adult Use Rising
Some people worried about this, but making it legal for adults has not made more teens use it. In fact, from 2013 to 2023, teen marijuana use dropped from 23% to 17% (CDC, 2024).
Key reasons this decline is happening:
- Checking IDs in legal stores
- Many drug education programs for young people
- It's not as exciting because it seems normal now
Legal markets are showing they can control who buys it better than illegal ones.
What It Means for the Future of Cannabis Products
The future of cannabis is driven by what users want, new ideas, and making things fit people's needs. New products and tools are made for different ways people like to use it.
Expect to see more in:
- Edibles that start working at certain times and have certain plant smells
- Vapes for medical use where you can change the heat and dose
- Cannabis treats like food, such as ice cream or drinks with cannabis
- Exact tools like aluminum molds for cannagars that are always packed the same way
As users know more, the market changes to give control and clear facts. These are signs of using cannabis well and enjoying it.
Final Thought: It’s Not Just About Getting High—It's About Getting It Right
Today’s cannabis user wants more than just the feeling. They want a smooth, safe, and better experience. Whether you're vaping marijuana on your lunch break or trying marijuana edibles to help you relax after work, how you take it matters.
At Purple Rose Supply, we’re proud to support that way of using it with well-made tools like our cannagar molds. We believe that better times using it start with better preparation.
Choosing the right method isn’t about stigma or tradition—it’s about intention.
Tips for Using It Smarter and Safer (No Matter How You Do It)
- Always start low and go slow, especially with edibles
- Understand your dosage, potency, and strain effects
- Avoid black-market vapes—look for lab-tested producers
- Store edibles safely to keep them away from kids and pets
- Use good tools like cannagar presses for smoother, better burns
- Keep learning about safe ingredients and health news
Your cannabis experience should be enjoyable—but also responsible. New ways of using it, like marijuana edibles and vaping marijuana, are getting popular. Learning about them is the best way to use it smarter.
Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Marijuana Use Among Adults in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7412a1.htm
