For many sports fans, the ritual of partying that surrounds watching their favorite team compete is almost as important as the game itself. The tailgate party has become a veritable national institution of eating and drinking, almost a sport in itself, as fans revel in their pregame exuberance and gluttony. And more and more, it seems, smoking marijuana has become part of the game day celebration for sports fans across the country.
Which Sport's Fans Smoke the Most Weed?
To find out, the folks at online sports and betting resource lines.com conducted a survey of more than 1,600 sports fans and asked them about their marijuana and alcohol consumption while they watched sporting events.
Overall, the survey found that about 35% of fans reported that they smoked marijuana while enjoying a sporting event on television or in person. Topping the rankings with the highest percentage of tokers are fans of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Slightly more than 41% of UFC/MMA fans said that they smoked weed while watching a match, more than any other sport.
The large percentage of UFC/MMA fans who smoke marijuana while enjoying the competition could be related to the propensity for athletes of the sport to imbibe in the herb themselves. UFC commentator Joe Rogan has said that more of the sport's athletes smoke marijuana than those who don't. After years of suspending fighters for testing positive for marijuana, the league has given its athletes the official okay to use cannabis.
Esports and NFL Fans Round Out the Top Three
Right on the heels of UFC/MMA fans were followers of esports, 40% of whom said that they smoked marijuana as a spectator. They were followed by the 36% of NFL fans who enjoyed herb while watching a game. Fans of the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens were most likely to fire up during the game, with 77% of both teams' fan base saying they did so. The New England Patriots had the fewest fans smoking pot, with only 31%.
After the top three, the sports with the most fans who said they smoked marijuana while watching an event were, in order, the NBA (35%), the NHL (33%), and Major League Baseball (30%). The NCAA had the lowest percentage of fans admitting to smoking marijuana with 29%.
Preferred Methods of Consumption
The survey also asked about the respondents' preferred methods of consuming cannabis. Smoking joints or bowls led the pack, with 42% and 41%, respectively, of marijuana users saying it was one of their favorite ways to get high while watching sports. Bongs and blunts both came in at 34%, followed by edibles (32%), one-hitters (24%), and tinctures (21%). Interestingly, only 16% of those who consumed cannabis while watching sporting events said they like to use vape pens. On average, fans consumed about two grams of weed while watching a game or event.
Drinking Habits Also Surveyed
The lines.com survey of sports fans also asked respondents about their alcohol drinking habits while watching sporting events. Fully half (51%) said that they engaged in binge drinking while viewing a game. On average, sports fans drank 7 drinks per game or event. MMA/UFC followers were again found to be the most enthusiastic imbibers, drinking more per event than the fans of any other sport. NCAA fans were the lightest drinkers, consuming the fewest drinks per game and having the lowest percentage of binge drinkers among their ranks (41%). Beer was by far the favorite alcoholic beverage for game time, with 76% saying they enjoyed a good brew.
To conduct the survey, 1,683 sports fans were asked about their alcohol and marijuana consumption habits while watching a game or event. Of the 1,683 fans surveyed, 31% were female, 66% were male, and less than 1% identified as nonbinary. Respondents to the survey ranged in age from 25 to 75 with an average age of 3
Although the survey has several limitations including the reliance on self-reporting, it does give a glimpse into the marijuana and alcohol consumption habits of the fans of various sports leagues. More information on the survey is available at lines.com.
When it comes to the global cannabis market, some countries stand out for their significant revenue from cannabis sales. To identify these countries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Statisa's estimated annual revenue from cannabis sales in 59 countries in 202The analysis takes into account retail sales, taxes, and both medical and recreational cannabis sales.
The cannabis market is divided into three segments: medical, therapeutic, and recreational. While the medical and therapeutic areas have been legalized in more countries, recreational use is also gaining acceptance. During the pandemic, therapeutic cannabis use rose as people sought relief from anxiety. However, research on the matter is limited, and health professionals caution that the effects are complex and not without risk.
Despite the differing legal environments and public attitudes towards cannabis, the outlook for the industry is positive. Legalization means higher tax revenue and the introduction of new cannabis products. There is also considerable merger and acquisition activity in the industry.
According to Statista, revenue from cannabis in the 20 nations on the list was forecasted to rise more than 40% in 2022 from the previous year. In 16 countries, revenue was projected to increase more than 100% from 2022 to 202
While the consumption of marijuana among sports fans and the revenue from cannabis sales vary across countries and sports, it is clear that cannabis has become a significant part of the game day experience for many fans. Whether it is enjoying a joint or bowl while watching a match or purchasing cannabis products from legal markets, the use of marijuana continues to grow in popularity.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. It is always recommended to consult with a legal or medical professional before consuming cannabis or engaging in any related activities.
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