In the U.S., about half of the population takes a prescription drug every day, and half of adults have tried illicit drugs at least once. Drug use is a routine part of life for most Americans, whether it's coffee in the morning, alcoholic drinks at night or using anything else to get by. This past year saw some major changes in drug trends, which could give a good indicator of what's to come in 2025 and beyond.
In the 2024 election cycle, Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first presidential candidate to promise to legalize cannabis at the federal level if elected. While that policy change is not something President-elect Donald Trump has said he supports, Harris and President Joe Biden did move to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I substance (in the same category as heroin) to a Schedule III substance (in the same category as ketamine) this year, pardoning thousands of convictions for possession.
