Americans are spending almost as much on illicit drugs as they do on alcohol

A new report finds that Americans spent some $150 billion in 2016, which is comparable to the $158 billion spent on alcohol in 2017. Here's more from the report: 

• By drug type: The illegal marijuana market is the biggest, with spending totaling more than the market for cocaine and methamphetamine markets combined. 
• By consumption: Heroin consumption increased 10% every year between 2010 and 2016. During the same time period, the number of people who reported consuming marijuana in the month prior to being surveyed increased 30%, from 25 million to 32 million. 
• By drivers: Total consumption and spending on illicit drugs were driven by a small number of daily or near-daily users.