Final answer:
Legal drugs are typically used by a higher percentage of the population than illicit drugs, with legal substances including alcohol, nicotine, and prescription medications, while illegal drug use tends to be less widespread.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we compare the use of legal drugs with the use of illicit drugs, we find that legal drugs are used by a higher percentage of the population than illegal drugs. The legal drugs category includes substances like alcohol, nicotine, and prescription medications, which are used by a vast majority of the population at one time or another. In contrast, illicit drugs are used by a smaller segment of the population, although the exact numbers may vary depending on factors such as geography and socio-economic status. Additionally, as illustrated by the increasing legalization and decriminalization of substances such as marijuana, public opinion and legal status of these substances can have significant effects on their usage rates.