New York (CNN Business) If marijuana were legal in the United States, most Americans say they would try it.

That's according to a survey of 1,000 US consumers (as well as 1,000 more in Canada) conducted by A.T. Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm.

More than half of the survey's respondents in both countries said they would likely try recreational cannabis if or when it becomes legal.

Marijuana will become legal in Canada on October 17. It remains illegal in the United States, although a number of states allow for its use.

The study comes at a time when many big brand name consumer companies are exploring a move into the legal cannabis business.

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