SANTA FE – New Mexico recorded a high rate of marijuana use in the latest available state-level federal estimates, with neighboring Colorado and Arizona reporting similar levels.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.72% of New Mexicans age 12 and older reported using marijuana during the past month in the combined 2023-2024 survey period. That equals nearly one in four residents in that age group.
Colorado reported a past-month marijuana use rate of 24.58%, while Arizona reported 24.52%. The figures measure marijuana use during the past month and include marijuana vaping.
Adult-use marijuana was legalized in New Mexico in 2021, and the first licensed recreational sales began April 1, 2022. Colorado voters approved recreational marijuana in 2012, with retail sales beginning January 1, 2014. Arizona voters approved adult-use marijuana in 2020, and recreational sales began in January 2021.
The state figures come as newly released national data show daily or near-daily marijuana use has surpassed both daily cigarette smoking and daily alcohol use in the United States.
The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated 21.4 million Americans used marijuana daily or nearly every day. The survey estimated 19.9 million people smoked cigarettes daily or nearly every day, while 17.2 million used alcohol at that frequency.
Alcohol remains more commonly used overall. Nationally, about 129 million people reported drinking alcohol during the past month, compared with about 43.8 million people who reported past-month marijuana use.
The New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona state estimates measure past-month marijuana use, while the national comparison focuses on daily or near-daily use. The figures do not provide a direct comparison of daily marijuana, alcohol and cigarette use specifically within the three states.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
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