Recreational Cannabis - Worldwide

Revenue in the Recreational Cannabis market market worldwide is forecasted to hit US$35.58bn by 2024.
The market is anticipated to demonstrate an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 3.96%, leading to a market volume of US$43.19bn by 2029.
When compared globally, the United States is expected to generate the highest revenue (US$24.96bn in 2024).
In terms of per person revenues, US$1.55k are generated in 2024 based on total population figures.
The global demand for recreational cannabis is steadily rising, with the United States leading the way in market growth and innovation.

Definition:
The Recreational Cannabis market encompasses products derived from the cannabis plant that are used for leisure or personal enjoyment. These products can include dried flowers, oils, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. The availability of these products is subject to the regulations in each country or state, and they can be obtained from dispensaries, retail stores, or online platforms. Consumption methods vary, and can include smoking, vaporizing, eating, or applying topically.

Structure:
The Recreational Cannabis market is a subset of the broader cannabis market, which also includes medical and pharmaceutical cannabis as well as CBD products. The Recreational Cannabis market specifically pertains to products used for personal enjoyment, as opposed to the medical and pharmaceutical markets which focus on products used for treating medical conditions. The market includes various forms of cannabis such as flowers, concentrates, edibles, and topicals.

Additional information:
The market values represent the revenues generated by retail prices paid to vendors, either directly or through distribution channels (excluding VAT). Reported market revenues include spending by consumers (B2C).

Cannabis containing THC used for recreational purposes
Extracts
Dried cannabis
Edibles
Beverages

Medical cannabis
Pharmaceutical cannabis
CBD Products

The global recreational cannabis market is experiencing significant growth and evolution, driven by changing consumer preferences, shifting regulations, and increasing acceptance of cannabis products.

Customer preferences: Consumers worldwide are showing a growing interest in recreational cannabis products, seeking a wider variety of options beyond traditional smoking methods. Edibles, beverages, topicals, and concentrates are becoming increasingly popular as consumers look for alternative ways to consume cannabis. Additionally, there is a rising demand for high-quality products with specific strains and potency levels, indicating a more sophisticated consumer base.

Trends in the market: In North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, the recreational cannabis market is witnessing rapid expansion due to ongoing legalization efforts at the state and federal levels. The emergence of new product categories and innovative consumption methods is reshaping the market landscape and attracting a broader demographic of consumers. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of online retail channels is providing convenience and accessibility to customers, further driving market growth.

Local special circumstances: In Europe, the recreational cannabis market is still in its early stages, with varying regulations across different countries. While some European nations have legalized recreational cannabis to a certain extent, strict laws and cultural attitudes towards cannabis consumption continue to pose challenges for market development. However, changing perceptions, coupled with the potential economic benefits of legalization, are paving the way for a more open market in the region.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The global recreational cannabis market is also influenced by macroeconomic factors such as economic stability, employment rates, and disposable income levels. Countries with strong economies and high levels of consumer spending tend to have more robust cannabis markets, as consumers have the purchasing power to buy recreational products. Additionally, evolving regulatory frameworks and government policies play a crucial role in shaping the market dynamics and driving investment in the cannabis industry. Overall, the recreational cannabis market worldwide is poised for continued growth and innovation as consumer preferences evolve, regulations change, and macroeconomic conditions fluctuate. The industry is expected to experience further expansion and diversification as more countries explore the potential benefits of legalizing recreational cannabis.

Data coverage:

Data encompasses B2B and B2C enterprises. Figures are based on companies' revenues, funding values and global consumer survey data. Revenues include retail, sales and taxes.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined by a Top-Down approach, based on a specific rationale for each market market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use financial reports, third-party data. Next, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations such as tobacco spending per capita, medical product spending per capita, consumer spending and consumer spending for recreation purposes, population. This data helps us to estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the particular market. For example, S-Curve function, ARIMA time series model and exponential curve function.

Additional Notes:

The market is updated twice per year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered at a country-specific level. GCS data is reweighted for representativeness.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis and additional information on the Health market, in a PDF format.

Cannabis or marijuana, the psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant is growing in popularity around the globe, both for recreational and medicinal uses. While there are many countries that have legalized cannabis in some capacity for medical purposes, only a handful have done so for recreational use. Even though cannabis is not federally legal in the United States, the combined legal states represent the largest market in the world. After the U.S., Canada, which legalized cannabis nation-wide in 2018 represents the next largest market. In 2021, a new coalition government was formed in Germany that indicated that the legalization of cannabis was on their agenda. Germany would be the largest legal adult-use market in Europe and would act as a test case for other countries on the continent considering the merits of legalization.