Poll: Twice as many Americans say sugar is more harmful than marijuana
David McNew/Getty Images


At the end of a wide-ranging new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, respondents were asked to pick the most harmful of four substances. Almost half (48 percent) picked tobacco, 24 percent named alcohol, and then things got weird: 15 percent listed sugar as the most harmful thing for our body, with marijuana picking up the tail end at 8 percent. Yes, twice as many Americans said sugar is more detrimental to your health than pot.
Weed also won the race for the attention of the Millennials. An impressive 57 percent of respondents age 18 to 35 told the pollsters that they have "seen, read, or heard a lot" about the efforts to legalize marijuana, while only 44 percent said the same of ObamaCare, 39 percent about Russia's invasion of Crimea, and 34 percent the string of court cases in favor of same-sex marriage. This is generally good news for those pushing to legalize recreational pot, and bad news for Big Tobacco and, to a lesser extent, craft brewers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Novel 'bone collector' caterpillar wears its prey
Speed Read Hawaiian scientists discover a carnivorous caterpillar that decorates its shell with the body parts of dead insects
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Why is Crimea a sticking point between Russia and Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Questions over control of the Black Sea peninsula are stymying the peace process
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans