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Reflecting a gradual shift since the 1990s, more Americans now say government should not favor any set of values (51%) than say it should promote traditional values (43%). In most recent years, Americans have been divided on this.

As Oregon becomes the fourth U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana use, 44% of Americans say they have tried marijuana. When Gallup began asking about pot use in 1969, only 4% admitted to having tried it.

As some states have legalized marijuana, 47% of Americans say legalization will make driving in those states less safe. Half of Americans say it won't make much of a difference.

In the U.S., 79% say driving while impaired by alcohol is a very serious problem for road safety, compared with 41% or less for other drugs. Young adults are the least likely to say driving while high on marijuana is a serious problem.

For the first time, as many Americans say their views on social issues are liberal as say they are conservative. Americans continue to be more likely to say they are economically conservative rather than liberal.

Looking to 2015, Americans are increasingly positive about the economy, and this could produce more upbeat views of Congress and the president. The U.S. will continue to age and get less white, potentially yielding other changes.

A slim majority of Americans, 51%, favor legalizing the use of marijuana -- similar to the 50% who supported it in 2011 and 2012, but down from a reading of 58% last year.

Americans are more likely to self-identify as conservative than as liberal on both social and economic matters. However, the conservative lead is down to 21 points on economic policy and four points on social policy.

The most important stories on Gallup.com in 2013 span politics, well-being, the economy, and education.

Sixty percent of Americans favor the death penalty for convicted murderers, the lowest level of death penalty support Gallup has measured since 1972, and down from a high of 80% in 1994.