Number of cannabis users worldwide by region 2011-2021
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There are currently around 219 million cannabis users worldwide. The highest number of cannabis users can be found in the Americas, followed by Asia and then Africa. The use of cannabis varies depending on the country and region as laws surrounding the sale and use of the drug differ greatly. Some countries and regions maintain harsh penalties for the sale and use of cannabis while others have decriminalized it and more recently even completely legalized it for recreational sale and use.
Cannabis
Cannabis is by far the most used illicit drug worldwide. Cannabis produces physical and mental effects that change a user’s perception, heighten mood and increase appetite, but can also cause anxiety and paranoia. There has been increased interest in cannabis as a medicine in recent years, with a number of countries legalizing it for this purpose. As a medicine it has been found to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, reduce chronic pain, and improve appetite.
Legal cannabis in North America
Canada as well as a growing number of U.S. states have recently legalized the sale and use of recreational cannabis. Worldwide legal cannabis spending is predicted to reach over 40 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2024, with the United States and Canada accounting for the vast majority of this market. The state of Washington alone reported sales of 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.
Cannabis
Cannabis is by far the most used illicit drug worldwide. Cannabis produces physical and mental effects that change a user’s perception, heighten mood and increase appetite, but can also cause anxiety and paranoia. There has been increased interest in cannabis as a medicine in recent years, with a number of countries legalizing it for this purpose. As a medicine it has been found to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, reduce chronic pain, and improve appetite.
Legal cannabis in North America
Canada as well as a growing number of U.S. states have recently legalized the sale and use of recreational cannabis. Worldwide legal cannabis spending is predicted to reach over 40 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2024, with the United States and Canada accounting for the vast majority of this market. The state of Washington alone reported sales of 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.
