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Trump Makes People Smoke More Weed! (But It’s Not Just Him)
Well, folks, it looks like Donald Trump might be the best thing to happen to cannabis consumption since the invention of the vape pen. According to a new Harris Poll, a whopping 50 percent of U.S. marijuana consumers say they expect to use more cannabis under the Trump administration than they have before. That’s half of all cannabis users planning to increase their consumption specifically because of who’s sitting in the Oval Office.
As someone who’s been watching the cannabis landscape evolve for years, I find this fascinating—but not surprising. The first three months of Trump’s second term have been, to put it mildly, tumultuous. We’ve seen economic anxiety spike, major restructuring of federal agencies, and enough political drama to fill several seasons of a Netflix series. No wonder people are reaching for their stash box more frequently.
But here’s the thing—while it’s easy (and sometimes satisfying) to blame Trump for everything, the reality is more nuanced. We’re living through what historians might one day call a perfect storm of societal stressors. Beyond politics, we’re facing unprecedented economic uncertainties, international conflicts that could escalate at any moment, the existential questions raised by rapidly advancing AI, and fundamental shifts in social structures that have left many feeling unmoored.
Cannabis, with its unique ability to simultaneously calm anxiety while promoting perspective and introspection, seems perfectly suited for these uncertain times. Unlike alcohol, which tends to numb or mask problems, cannabis often allows users to examine their stressors from a calmer, more contemplative mindset. It doesn’t erase our collective challenges, but it can help us process them without spiraling into panic.
What we’re witnessing isn’t just a reaction to one administration—it’s a rational response to irrational times. And maybe, just maybe, this surge in cannabis use could help push us out of the dark ages of prohibition and into an enlightened era where this plant is recognized for what it truly is: a remarkable tool for navigating the choppy waters of modern existence.
Let’s dig deeper into what’s driving this green wave and why it might actually be one of the healthier developments in our anxiety-ridden society.
The Harris Poll, commissioned by cannabis company Royal Queen Seeds, reveals some striking patterns in how Americans are responding to the current political climate. That 50 percent figure—half of all cannabis consumers planning to increase their use under Trump—becomes even more interesting when we break it down demographically.
Among young female adult consumers aged 21-34, the number jumps to an eye-opening 59 percent. This suggests that women in particular may be feeling the weight of the current political moment, which makes sense given the ongoing battles over reproductive rights and other issues that disproportionately affect women.
These findings align with another recent survey showing that cannabis consumers are self-reporting higher levels of stress since Trump’s inauguration compared to the general population. It’s not just that cannabis users happen to be more stressed—it’s that the current political climate seems to be having a measurable impact on their mental wellbeing.
The economic anxiety factor can’t be overlooked either. A separate survey from NuggMD found that two out of three marijuana consumers have had to make the decision to spend less on cannabis because of broader inflation in the economy. When you combine economic pressure with political anxiety, you’ve got a recipe for significantly increased stress levels.
What’s particularly interesting is that despite financial pressures, cannabis consumers are prioritizing their consumption—suggesting they view it not as a luxury but as a necessity for maintaining mental health. A February poll found that nearly 7 in 10 American marijuana consumers say they plan to spend either more on cannabis or about the same amount in 2025 compared to last year.
This isn’t just about getting high to escape problems—it’s about finding tools to manage a genuinely stressful reality. The data suggests that cannabis users are making conscious, intentional choices about their consumption based on their assessment of current conditions.
And it’s worth noting that these choices may be having positive effects in other areas of health. Another poll found that more than half of marijuana consumers say they drink less alcohol, or none at all, after using cannabis. In a time when “deaths of despair” from alcohol and other substances have been rising, this substitution effect could represent a harm reduction approach that deserves serious consideration.
What we’re seeing isn’t merely recreational consumers looking to party more—it’s people making conscious decisions about how to manage their mental health in challenging times. The Trump administration may be the catalyst, but the underlying dynamics reflect broader concerns about where our society is headed.
While the political situation is certainly a major stressor, it would be an oversimplification to attribute increased cannabis use solely to Trump. We’re living through a convergence of crises that would test anyone’s coping mechanisms.
The economic landscape remains uncertain, with persistent inflation, housing costs at historic highs, and many industries facing disruption. Add to this the ongoing international conflicts that threaten to escalate, from Ukraine to the Middle East, along with the looming climate crisis that hangs over everything like a shadow.
Then there’s the rapid advancement of AI technologies, which has many questioning what the future of work will look like and whether their skills will remain relevant. The very fabric of social life has been transformed by technology, reshaping how we form communities and relate to one another. Traditional institutions that once provided stability and meaning are increasingly viewed with skepticism.
In this context, the turn toward cannabis makes perfect sense. Unlike pharmaceuticals that often target specific symptoms while potentially creating new problems through side effects, cannabis offers a holistic approach to stress management. It can simultaneously reduce anxiety, promote sleep, enhance creativity, and foster a sense of connection—all valuable antidotes to the isolation and fear that characterize our moment.
Interestingly, the Harris Poll also revealed a growing interest in self-sufficiency through home cultivation. The survey found that about one in three cannabis consumers who said they’ve seen marijuana-related news expressed interest in growing their own plants. This represents not just a desire to save money (though 76 percent said they believe home cultivation would save them money), but a deeper need for autonomy and control in uncertain times.
“We’re seeing a groundswell of support for home cultivation across demographics, driven not just by cost, but by trust,” said Shai Ramsahai, president of Royal Queen Seeds. “People want to know what they’re putting in their bodies. For many, growing cannabis is about wellness, empowerment and transparency.”
This quest for transparency isn’t unfounded. The poll found that 54 percent of Americans believe store-bought marijuana contains pesticides, and 62 percent of cannabis consumers worry that they don’t know what’s in the marijuana products they buy. In a world where trust in institutions is eroding, taking direct control of your medicine represents a form of resilience.
The fact that 15 percent of cannabis consumers already grow their own plants—a four percentage point increase from 2024—signals a significant shift toward self-sufficiency. People aren’t just passively consuming more; they’re actively taking control of their relationship with the plant.
This combination of increased consumption and increased self-production reflects a deeper societal response to uncertainty. When the world feels chaotic and threatening, there’s comfort in connecting with something natural, something that humans have used for thousands of years to find perspective and peace.
The surge in cannabis use isn’t just about escaping problems—it’s about treating them. And not just individual problems, but collective ones that require new approaches to mental and emotional health.
Cannabis offers a unique combination of effects that make it particularly well-suited for managing the specific types of stress we’re experiencing as a society. Its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties can help calm the immediate sense of panic that often accompanies news cycles or economic worries. Its ability to promote mindfulness can help break the cycle of rumination that characterizes modern anxiety. And for many, its capacity to enhance perspective can help transform overwhelming problems into manageable challenges.
Unlike many pharmaceutical approaches that target single symptoms or conditions, cannabis works through the endocannabinoid system—a complex regulatory network that helps maintain balance across multiple body systems. This system plays a crucial role in regulating stress responses, emotional processing, and immune function—all of which are taxed by chronic societal stressors.
The therapeutic potential of cannabis for anxiety is supported by more than just anecdotal evidence. Research has shown that CBD, one of the primary cannabinoids in cannabis, can reduce anxiety by modulating activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center. THC, in appropriate doses, can temporarily shift cognitive patterns, potentially helping break cycles of negative thinking.
But perhaps most importantly, cannabis often helps users maintain a sense of connection—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world. In a time when many feel isolated and disconnected, this aspect of the cannabis experience shouldn’t be underestimated.
The growing interest in home cultivation reflects this desire for authentic connection. As Ramsahai noted, growing cannabis is “about wellness, empowerment and transparency.” There’s something profoundly meaningful about nurturing a plant from seed to harvest, particularly one with such potential to support wellbeing.
The poll found that 62 percent of cannabis consumers said they’d prefer to grow marijuana than buy it from shops. This preference goes beyond cost savings or convenience—it speaks to a desire for agency in one’s own health practices. When societal institutions seem increasingly untrustworthy or ineffective, taking direct control of your medicine represents a form of resilience.
Of course, legal concerns remain a barrier for many. The survey found that 58 percent of cannabis consumers are concerned about potential legal risks associated with home cultivation, even in states where it’s legal. This highlights the ongoing tension between growing public acceptance of cannabis and the patchwork of legal frameworks that still criminalize or restrict it.
As we navigate this period of collective anxiety, cannabis offers a harm reduction approach that deserves serious consideration. When compared to alternatives like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines—all of which carry significant risks of dependence and adverse effects—cannabis often represents a safer option for managing stress and anxiety.
The increase in consumption we’re seeing isn’t necessarily problematic—it may actually represent an adaptive response to genuinely challenging circumstances. Rather than pathologizing this trend, we might better understand it as a form of self-medication that, for many, is preferable to the alternatives.
As we process the fact that half of all cannabis consumers plan to increase their use under the Trump administration, let’s resist the urge to frame this as either purely political or purely problematic. What we’re witnessing is a complex societal response to multifaceted challenges—a response that, in many ways, represents wisdom rather than weakness.
Cannabis has been humanity’s companion through difficult times for thousands of years. From ancient Chinese physicians to Victorian era doctors to modern medical practitioners, those who understand the plant have recognized its value in helping people navigate periods of uncertainty and change. What’s happening now isn’t new—it’s the continuation of an ancient relationship between humans and a remarkably versatile plant ally.
The surge in cannabis use and home cultivation represents more than just a reaction to Trump—it’s a proactive step toward personal wellness in challenging times. By growing their own medicine, learning about different strains and their effects, and intentionally incorporating cannabis into their wellness routines, consumers are taking an empowered approach to mental health.
This trend could actually accelerate cannabis normalization and reform. As more people experience the benefits of cannabis firsthand, outdated stigmas continue to fall away. Each person who finds relief through cannabis becomes a potential advocate for sensible policy reform. Each home grower who produces clean, effective medicine becomes living proof that the plant deserves respect rather than prohibition.
If there’s a silver lining to our current age of anxiety, perhaps it’s this: more people are discovering or rediscovering a plant ally that can help them process difficult emotions and maintain perspective when the world seems overwhelming. And in doing so, they’re contributing to a broader shift in how we understand and regulate this remarkable plant.
So if you’re among the 50 percent planning to consume more cannabis in these turbulent times, know that you’re not alone—and you’re not necessarily making an unhealthy choice. You’re participating in a collective response to collective challenges, turning to a plant that humans have relied on during difficult periods throughout history.
The ultimate irony may be that the Trump administration, which has not historically been cannabis-friendly, could end up accelerating cannabis normalization simply by creating conditions that lead more people to seek out its benefits. Sometimes, progress comes from unexpected places.
In the meantime, whether you’re a longtime enthusiast or a curious newcomer, remember that cannabis offers not just temporary relief but potential insights. Use it not just to escape the chaos, but to help you process it, understand it, and perhaps even find ways to change it. That kind of conscious consumption represents not just self-care, but a form of resistance to the very forces causing our collective anxiety.
And that, my friends, is the stickiest bottom line of all.