How many Americans use CBD? (2025)

Report Highlights: 

According to the latest available data, CBD use in the U.S. has grown, with more than 156 million people having tried CBD.

• Growing Popularity: As of 2024, 60% of U.S. adults have tried CBD, and 29% are regular users — up from just 6% in 2018.

• Age Differences: Nearly 90% of adults in one study, aged 77 and older, use CBD, while only 32% of young adults (18-25) report using it.

• Gender Trends: Women are more likely to use CBD for stress and anxiety relief, while men use it more for social and spiritual reasons.

• CBD State Markets: California led the U.S. in CBD sales with $730 million, and its market was projected to grow to $3.32 billion by 2024.

• Effectiveness: 75% of users say CBD helps manage their symptoms, and nearly half (48%) find it very or extremely effective.

How Many People Use CBD in America?

CBD usage in the U.S. has grown, with 60% of adults having tried a CBD product as of 2024. Regular usage has also increased, rising from just 6% in 2018 to 29% in 2024.

• As of 2024, 60% of U.S. adults either use or have tried a CBD product [1]. 

• 29% of Americans are regular CBD users as of 2024 [1].

• This percentage has increased from 6% in 2018 [2].

• 1 in 7 adults reported incorporating CBD into their daily routine [3].  

• 64 million Americans reported having tried CBD in the previous 24 months [4]. 

CBD Use by Age 

CBD use looks different across age groups — 32% of young adults (18-25) use it, while nearly 90% of people 77 and older have made it part of their routine. That’s a big shift from 2019, when younger adults were using it more than seniors.

• As of 2024, 32% of young adults aged 18-25 report using CBD, a relatively lower percentage than other age groups [1]. 

• In contrast, nearly 90% of adults aged 77 and older use CBD in their routine [1]. 

• Surprisingly, this is a reversal from a 2019 study, where 11% of young adults reported using CBD compared to 4% of people 77 and older [5]. 

CBD Use by Sex 

Men and women use CBD in different ways.  10% of men were regular CBD users compared to just 4% of women. Women tend to use it more for mental wellness, while men are more likely to take it for social or spiritual reasons.

• According to the latest available data, 10% of men reported regular use of CBD, compared to 4% of women [3]. 

• Women are more likely to use CBD for mental wellness, with 53% turning to it for stress and anxiety relief, compared to 47% of men [3].

• About 28% of men take CBD for social purposes, compared to 15% of women [3].

• Additionally, 16% of men use CBD for spiritual reasons, compared to just 9% of women [3]. 

• 42% of women use CBD for chronic pain management, compared to 36% of men [3]. 

CBD Use by State 

California’s market is expected to reach $3.32 billion, with Florida and New York at $1.81 billion and $1.55 billion.

• In 2019, California recorded the highest CBD sales in 2019, totaling $730 million [7]

• Florida followed with $291 million in CBD sales [7].

• New York ranked third, generating $215 million in sales [7].

• States with less than $23 million in individual sales collectively reached $941 million. [7] 

• By 2024, California’s CBD market is projected to grow to $3.32 billion [8].

• Florida’s CBD market is expected to reach $1.81 billion [8].

• New York’s CBD market is estimated to grow to $1.55 billion [8].

Why Do People Use CBD? 

Most people use CBD for medical reasons, with 62% taking it for pain, anxiety, or depression. Pain relief is the most common use at 64%, while 42% use it for better sleep.

• Nearly 62% of CBD users take it for medical purposes [9].

• The top three conditions treated with CBD are pain, anxiety, and depression [9].

• 64% of Americans are using CBD for pain [10].

• 49% of Americans use CBD to treat anxiety and stress [10]. 

• 42% of people use CBD for better sleep and to treat insomnia [10]. 

• Around 36% of users say CBD effectively treats their condition on its own [9].

• Only 4.3% of users report that CBD is not very effective for their condition [9].

• One in three users experiences a nonserious adverse effect from CBD [9].

• Nonregular cannabis users are 1.44 times more likely to use CBD for medical treatment than regular cannabis users [9].

• Only 12% of users report using CBD recreationally [10]. 

Reasons People Use CBD by Age

CBD use varies by age, with older adults more likely to take it for medical reasons like sleep and pain relief, while younger users often seek stress relief or anxiety reduction.

• Curiosity is a more common reason for CBD use among older adults (44% of those 77+), compared to just 5% of young adults (18-25) [1].

• Fun/recreational use also increases with age, peaking at 57% in the 77+ group [1].

• Doctor recommendations are a major factor for older adults, with 73% of seniors (77+) using CBD based on medical advice, compared to just 35% of young adults [1].

• Pain relief is a consistent reason across middle-aged and older adults, with over 60% of users aged 26-76 taking CBD for pain [1].

• Stress relief and relaxation is the most common reason overall, with usage increasing steadily with age (50% in young adults, 77% in seniors) [1].

• Sleep improvement is another major factor, with 78% of the 77+ group using CBD for sleep [1]. 

How Many Users Believe CBD is Effective? 

CBD is seen as effective, with 75% of users in 2019 saying it helped their symptoms. Nearly 48% found it very or extremely effective, especially for stress, anxiety, joint pain, and sleep.

• In 2019, 75% of 4000 people surveyed said CBD is effective in helping them manage their symptoms [4]. 

• Nearly half (48%) find CBD very or extremely effective [4]. 

• Many use CBD for stress and anxiety — 37% of respondents — but 63% of them say it works very well [4]. 

• About 24% take CBD for joint pain, and 38% of them say it is helpful [4]. 

• CBD is also used for sleep, with 10% of people taking it for better rest. More than half (52%) say CBD works for sleep [4]. 

How Many People are Reluctant to Use CBD? 

Despite CBD's growing popularity, some people are hesitant to use it because they have not found a product that interests them, concerns about costs and side effects, and unfamiliarity with the industry.

• 30% of surveyed people said they’ve struggled to find a CBD product that appealed to them [11].

• Nearly 1 in 4 people surveyed said they weren’t familiar with CBD, while 20% were hesitant to try it [11].

• Cost is another barrier, as 16% of respondents felt CBD was too expensive [11].

• Concerns about potential side effects also deterred 13% of people surveyed [11]. 

Analysis: CBD Use Predictions 

CBD use in the U.S. has steadily increased, with more people incorporating it into their routines for pain relief, anxiety, and sleep. While younger adults once had higher usage rates, older generations now report the most consistent use, indicating a shift in demographics.

Women are more likely to use CBD for mental wellness, while men are more inclined to take it for social or spiritual reasons. Sales continue to grow, particularly in states like California, Florida, and New York, where the market is expanding.

With most users finding CBD helpful, it remains a popular option for managing various health concerns. As research and regulations develop, its role in everyday wellness may continue to evolve.

Sources: 

1. Smith, L. (2024, January 15). CBD statistics and trends in 2024. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/cbd/cbd-statistics/ 

2. Conway, J. (2019a). Annual CBD usage rate in the United States from 2018 to 2024. Statista. 

3. Kopf, D., & Avins, J. (2019). Survey shows Americans use CBD to treat anxiety and stress. Quartz. 

4. Gill, L. L. (2019). CBD Goes Mainstream. Consumer Reports. 

5. Conway, J. (2019b). CBD/hemp oil usage, by generation U.S. 2019. Statista.

6. Understanding Cannabidiol. (2017). Brightfield Group. 

7. Conway, J. (2020a). Sales of CBD, by state U.S. 2019. Statista. 

8. Conway, J. (2020b). Sales of CBD, by state U.S. 2024. Statista. 

9. Corroon, J., & Phillips, J. A. (2018). A Cross-Sectional Study of Cannabidiol Users. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 152–161. 

10. Kruger, J. S., & Kruger, D. J. (2022). Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling? Journal of Cannabis Research, 4(1), 4.

11. Conway, J. (2022a). CBD hesitancy reasons among U.S. adults 2021. Statista.