As laws across the country become less restrictive , more Americans are reporting using marijuana regularly than ever before , according to a new survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration . The National Survey on Drug Use and Health -- the largest of its kind -- is done annually . Results from the past five years have shown a steady increase in weed use . Last year was no exception . In 2012 , about 7.3 % of Americans ages 12 or older reported regularly using marijuana . That 's up from 7 % of Americans in 2011 . Although it 's only a slight increase , the real contrast exists between 2012 and 2007 , when 5.8 % of Americans said they regularly used weed . These numbers could represent an increase in use among Americans , or simply an increase in the number of people who felt OK reporting use of the drug on a national survey . There has been a lot of attention given to marijuana in the last few years . U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced last week that the federal government would no longer prosecute people who used the drug in states where it was legal -- as long as there were state laws in place to keep the drug away from children . Until that announcement , people could be brought up on federal charges even if they were within the law in their state . How to regulate pot when it 's legal . Washington and Colorado have both legalized recreational marijuana use . Some 20 other states allow people to purchase it for medical reasons . The survey , which looks at all drug and alcohol use , showed some other interesting trends as well . Prescription drug abuse , which has been increasing in the past few years , has leveled off . But heroin use is on the rise ; the number of people using heroin is up some 80 % since 2007 . Nearly 24 million Americans -- that 's 9.2 % of the population -- say they use illicit drugs , according to the survey . Are American opinions on weed reaching the tipping point ?
70 % of Americans 2012 used Marijuana regularly in 2007 , survey finds . Marijuana is legal in two states , while 20 more allow medical use . Heroin use is up 70 % since age 12 or older , according to the survey .