Every so often, it’s good to check out the latest marijuana fun facts. Use these as conversation starters – or to settle debates – are your next get-together with friends and family. It’s more interesting than hearing about Uncle Bill’s fishing trip. Again.

Legal For Hundreds of Millions

Perhaps the most serious marijuana fun fact is that more people have access to the cannabis plant than ever before. In the past few years, as legalization slowly has spread across the country state by state, more Americans than ever now live where recreational marijuana is legal. The latest estimate is around 155 million people. What’s more, only 11 states have not legalized marijuana for medical use.

Federal Decriminalization

Here’s a marijuana fun fact that no one thought would ever happen. In a first step toward perhaps ending the status of marijuana as a Schedule I illegal drug, President Joe Biden has asked the Justice Department to review the schedule. Marijuana currently is in the same category of illegal drugs as cocaine and heroin, despite being legal, as noted above, for hundreds of millions of people.

Global Legalization

Outside of the United States, legalization has moved forward slowly but steadily. In 2018, Canada joined Uruguay in making cannabis legal. Other countries have yet to follow suit with full legalization, although Germany is working on setting up a legalized program that could be up and running by 2024.

Famous Users

Any discussion about famous people in history who used cannabis has to start with the realization that many, many people in history used cannabis and never said a word about it in public. That’s because throughout history, people have stigmatized those who use cannabis. At some points, including in the United States, they threw people in jail just for having a joint in their pocket.

However, many historical figures have been associated with cannabis use. Keep in mind that some of these could be apocryphal tales

• William Shakespeare. The famous playwright may have used cannabis for inspiration, an idea bolstered by the fact that research on pipes found at his residence had cannabis residue.
• George Washington: The first President of the United States farmed hemp and may have used cannabis for medicinal purposes.
• Queen Victoria. The former Queen of England reportedly used cannabis to alleviate menstrual cramps.
• Carl Sagan. The famous astronomer and author once wrote about cannabis use in connection with creativity and sex.
• Louis Armstrong. The jazz musician was known to be a cannabis user and once said, “it makes you feel good, man.”
• Bob Marley. No surprise here. Marley, a Rastafarian, believed cannabis connected him with his spirituality.

Which Sports Fans Smoke the Most Weed?

If you’re wondering which sports draw the most cannabis users, research has actually been conducted in this important area. Turns out, fans of E-sports, UFC and Formula 1 use the most cannabis while watching their favorite sport. Among the biggest sports in the United States, fans of Major League Soccer, WNBA, and NASCAR more often use cannabis while watching a game, followed by fans of the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.

The Best Songs About Marijuana

These are more opinions than facts, and everyone has their own opinion about music in general and songs about marijuana in particular. Because there are so many choices, no less a source than Rolling Stone finally got around to ranking them. Among their choices for the 20 best songs about marijuana were:

• “Got to Get You Into My Life.” by The Beatles
• “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35” by Bob Dylan
• “Sweet Leaf” by Black Sabbath
• “Mary Jane” by Rick James
• “Pass the Kouchie” by The Mighty Diamonds (later remade as “Pass the Dutchie”)
• “Hot From the Bong” by Cypress Hill
• “Gin and Juice” by Snoop Dogg