Out: cigarettes. In: joints. Why are more college students turning to daily pot smoking than before?

The Wall Street Journal reports:

More College Students Use Marijuana Daily, Study Finds

College students in the U.S. are now more likely to smoke marijuana on a daily basis than cigarettes, as pot-smoking rates continue to climb, according to the results of a nationwide survey released Tuesday.

The long-term study by researchers at the University of Michigan also shows student use of illicit drugs of all kinds is on the rise. Nearly 40% of students reported using some sort of drug during a 12-month period ending in 2014, up from 34% of students in 2006. The increase primarily comes from greater use of marijuana but also amphetamines and ecstasy; and although cocaine is used by a smaller number of students, its use is also on the rise, according to the study.

Marijuana use on campus has been on the rise since 2006, according to a series of studies by researchers at the University of Michigan, and the number of students who smoke pot daily is at its highest level since 1980, when data was first compiled.

“There’s no question that marijuana use has risen considerably,” said Lloyd Johnston, principal investigator for the Monitoring the Future study. “In December, we released results on secondary-school students, and we’re seeing a rise in daily marijuana use there as well.”