The marijuana industry in the United States has experienced exponential growth over the past decade. Although it is still illegal at the federal level, the legal marijuana industry in each state achieved a breakthrough milestone in 2024, with total sales exceeding $30 billion.

In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use, laying the foundation for a nationwide wave of legalization. By 2024, 23 states have legalized adult use of marijuana, while 38 states have approved medical marijuana programs. The significant achievement of annual total sales exceeding 30 billion US dollars reflects the rapid growth and normalization of marijuana as a medical and entertainment product, as well as the shift in social attitudes, legislative reforms, and the constantly developing consumer market. 30 billion not only represents a significant leap in numbers, but also reflects enormous socio-economic growth. According to New Frontier Data, approximately 38.4 million American adults will use marijuana in 2024, and more and more people will accept marijuana as a mainstream product, leading to increased demand for various products such as food, beverages, tinctures, topical medications, and electronic cigarettes.

The cannabis industry has also become one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, supporting over 500000 full-time jobs by the end of 2024. These job roles span across various roles in planting facilities, pharmacies, manufacturing factories, marketing companies, and compliance departments. With the maturity of existing markets in newly legalized states and the potential for legalization, employment opportunities are expected to further increase. According to Leafly's annual employment report, if federally legalized, the industry will provide over 700000 job opportunities by 2030. In California, the largest cannabis market in the United States, the state received over $1 billion in tax revenue from cannabis sales in 2024. These funds are typically used for public services such as education, healthcare programs, infrastructure development, etc. Other states with thriving markets, Illinois generated nearly $500 million in tax revenue, while Colorado exceeded $450 million, indicating that marijuana legalization can become an economic engine for state governments.

Not only have alcoholic cigarettes been partially replaced, but sales of anxiety drugs have also plummeted in legal states. For more information on the impact of marijuana on the tobacco and alcohol market, please refer to the "US Survey Finds that Cannabis Consumption as an Alcohol Substitute Has' Suddenly Surged 'This Year, and Cannabis is Replacing Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Pain relievers"
In addition, the legalization of marijuana has triggered significant changes in the field of mental health treatment, particularly regarding anxiety disorders. Recent studies have shown that in states where marijuana is legalized, prescriptions for anti anxiety drugs, particularly benzodiazepines, have significantly decreased. Common medication treatments for anxiety disorders include:
Benzodiazepine drugs such as diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam are often used for short-term relief of acute anxiety symptoms. Although effective, these drugs carry the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): drugs such as sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are often used as first-line treatments for chronic anxiety disorders. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, but it may take several weeks to show their effect. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This form of psychotherapy is widely regarded as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors related to anxiety. Although these drugs are effective, many patients will experience more serious side effects from these drugs. A groundbreaking study recently published in the American Medical Association Online Open examined prescription data from states that legalized marijuana. Researchers found that states with medical marijuana laws had a 12.4% decrease in benzodiazepine prescriptions, while states with entertainment laws had a 15.2% decrease.

These data suggest that patients may be replacing traditional anti anxiety drugs with marijuana, and as more and more patients seek marijuana as an alternative treatment for anxiety disorders, pharmaceutical companies may face a decrease in demand for their products. This shift may lead to a decrease in revenue from anti anxiety drugs, prompting the company to reassess its market strategy. Pharmaceutical companies may need to adapt to changing trends by investing in research related to cannabis therapy or developing new products containing cannabinoids. Some companies are already exploring composite formulations combining traditional drugs with cannabis extracts. The decrease in prescription of anti anxiety drugs marks a significant shift in the paradigm of mental health treatment, which may indicate a new era of treatment options for anxiety patients.