Cannabis use has become an increasingly hot topic in recent years, with more and more countries legalizing or decriminalizing its use. But what do the statistics say about cannabis use and its effects on society? From its medicinal benefits to its impact on crime rates, exploring cannabis statistics is essential to understanding this controversial substance. So, let’s dive into the data and uncover the truth about cannabis use.
Data demonstrates a steady and remarkable expansion in the user base over the years. In 2016, there were 2.02 million medical cannabis users, and this figure has witnessed substantial year-over-year growth. In 2023, the user base reached 7.91 million, and by 2028, it’s projected to grow to 13.05 million.
million people use marijuana [1].
of Americans have experimented with marijuana at least once [3].
of Americans use cannabis to feel relief/pain-free and relaxed [1].
of Americans believe using marijuana is “socially acceptable [3].
The global cannabis market is forecasted to reach approximately US$51.27 billion in 2023 [4]. The revenue is anticipated to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 14.95%, ultimately leading to a market size of approximately US$102.90 billion by 2028.
Source: Statista Market Insights
Source: Statista Market Insights
Compared globally, the United States is expected to generate the highest revenue, with around US$33.88 billion in 2023 [4].
Source: Statista Market Insights
Data illustrates a consistent and remarkable increase in the user base over the years. In 2016, there
were 2.63 million medical cannabis users, which has seen substantial year-over-year growth. In 2023, it reached 35.73 million users; by 2028, the user base is expected to grow to 59.6 million [4].
Source: Statista Market Insights
The penetration rate has also consistently increased over the years. In 2016, the penetration rate was a modest 0.04%, and this figure has experienced steady growth. By 2023, it reached 0.46%, and by 2028, it's estimated to reach 0.75% [4].
Source: Statista Market Insights
Since thirty-six US states (72% of the country [3]) have legalized it, the medical cannabis market has experienced a surge in both state and public approval, evolving into a thriving and lucrative industry, projected to reach US$12.92bn in 2023 [5].
In 2023, the marijuana industry landscape is primarily characterized by a combination of American and Canadian companies, as reflected by their billion-dollar market capitalization.
Leading the pack is Curaleaf, a US-based company with a market capitalization of 2.57 billion dollars. In second place is the Canadian company Tilray, with a market capitalization of 1.9 billion dollars [6].
| Curaleaf | 2.89 |
|---|---|
| Green Thumb Industries | 2.67 |
| Innovative Industrial | 2.37 |
| Verano Holdings | 1.48 |
| Tilray | 1.36 |
| Trulieve | 1.07 |
| Cronos Group | 0.78 |
| Cresco Labs | 0.63 |
| Canopy Growth | 0.55 |
| TerrAscend | 0.54 |
Source: Statista Market Insights
Medical marijuana retail sales in the US are expected to reach $15.6 billion by 2026 [5], indicating a growing market and positive outlook for the industry due to evolving regulations and increased recognition of its therapeutic benefits.
Source: Statista Market Insights
Data demonstrates a steady and remarkable expansion in the user base over the years. In 2016, there were 2.02 million medical cannabis users, and this figure has witnessed substantial year-over-year growth. In 2023, the user base reached 7.91 million, and by 2028, it’s projected to grow to 13.05 million [5].
Source: Statista Market Insights
Moreover, the penetration rate has consistently increased over the years. In 2016, the penetration rate was a modest 0.62%, and this metric has displayed a consistent upward trajectory. By 2023, it reached 2.33%, and by 2028, it’s estimated to reach 3.74% [5]. These trends reflect the ongoing expansion of medical cannabis usage and its increasing acceptance as a therapeutic option.
Source: Statista Market Insights
A substantial 72% of Americans [3] expressed the view that regular alcohol consumption poses a greater health risk compared to the habitual use of marijuana. Furthermore, 76% believed marijuana is less harmful than tobacco, and 67% considered it less harmful than prescription painkillers. Still, the first place for the most commonly used substance is alcohol, but marijuana follows second.
People use cannabis for a variety of reasons, often driven by the prevalence of specific health conditions within a surveyed population. According to our data, “Trouble Sleeping” stands out as the most commonly reported condition at 65%, followed closely by “Chronic Pain” at 50% [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
Source: Veriheal Inc.
Our survey sheds light on the frequency and attitudes surrounding cannabis consumption. A noteworthy 32.7% of respondents have reported past experience with cannabis, highlighting a substantial history of use within the surveyed population. Further revealing the current landscape, 12.2% of respondents currently use cannabis, 9.1% have a medical marijuana recommendation, and only 6% have chosen not to engage with cannabis [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
Of those who consume cannabis, 23.56% engage in daily heavy cannabis use, while 50.33% report daily light use, highlighting a significant number of daily users. Weekly usage, occurring either 4-6 times or 2-3 times, is observed in 20,73% of respondents,, indicating the prevalence of regular consumption [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
This comprehensive data on cannabis use frequency is further enriched by insights into respondents’ self-reported changes in their need for cannabis consumption. Most people, 63.45%, report that their need for cannabis has remained relatively stable. This shows that they tend to use cannabis consistently.
However, it’s worth noting that 18.11% of respondents say their need for cannabis has slightly
increased, while 5.40% report a more significant increase [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
When asked if their cannabis tolerance has increased, 49% responded "Yes," indicating that their cannabis tolerance has gone up, and 51% responded "No" to signify that their tolerance has not increased [1].
As per their preferred cannabis consumption methods, vaping is most favored (32.09%), followed by smoking (joints/blunts) (21.41%) and eating edibles (20.28%) [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
Notably, 55.45% reported not tracking their cannabis usage, indicating a lack of detailed record-keeping or monitoring. On the other hand, 25.62% track their usage by gram/strain, and another 11.26% track by price value [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
Not everyone’s experience with cannabis is pleasant. Some people can experience side effects after consuming it. The most commonly reported side effect is “Dry Mouth,” followed by “Dizziness.” However, it is worth noting that many people don’t experience any of the mentioned side effects, indicating that the effects of cannabis can vary from person to person [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
The effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment option appears to vary considerably among respondents, as reflected in the data. The majority, 42.97%, have rated its effectiveness at the highest level, suggesting a substantial positive impact on their treatment [1]. In contrast, 0.42% rated it at the lowest effectiveness level of 1, indicating a lackof perceived benefit in their case.
This data highlights the individualized nature of medical cannabis treatments, where some find it highly effective, while others may not experience the same degree of relief [1].
Source: Veriheal Inc.
The use of marijuana among high school students is a worrying problem that has received significant attention in recent years. While some argue that it has become more prevalent due to changing attitudes and legalization efforts in some places, others hold a different opinion.
Let’s go through the numbers and find out.
The 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 stood at 4.9%, with a slightly lower percentage among females (4.7%) compared to males (4.8%) [7].
Current marijuana use is relatively high, with 15.8% of students admitting to its use, and here, females (17.8%) surpass males (13.6%). When considering lifetime use, 27.8% of high school students have used marijuana, with females (30.9%) again indicating a higher usage percentage than males (24.8%) [7].
| Total | Female | Male | |
| Tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.8% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ever used synthetic marijuana | 6.5% | 7.1% | 5.8% |
| Currently used marijuana | 15.8% | 17.8% | 13.6% |
| Ever used marijuana | 27.8% | 30.9% | 24.8% |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Marijuana use varies by race/ethnicity among high school students in the US. Multi-race students have the highest prevalence of ever using marijuana (35.2%) and currently using it (20.1%).
The AI/AN (American Indian/Alaska Native) group (7.7%) has the highest rates of early initiation, followed by Black students (7.4%). Asian students have the lowest rates of marijuana-related behaviors [7].
There is an increasing trend in marijuana use among high school students as grade level progresses. The percentage of students who have ever used marijuana starts at 15.6% in 9th grade and peaks at 39.3% in 12th grade.
Current marijuana use also shows an escalating trend from 9.1% in 9th grade to 22.4% in 12th grade [7].
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade | |
| Ever used marijuana | 15.6% | 24% | 33.1% | 39.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years | 4.9% | 4.2% | 5% | 4.9% |
| Currently used marijuana | 9.1% | 13.7% | 18.7% | 22.4% |
| Ever used synthetic marijuana | 5% | 6.4% | 6.7% | 7.6% |
Data shows that individuals who initiate marijuana use before age 12 face double the likelihood of developing a mental illness compared to those who commence use at age 18 or older.
Marijuana is frequently perceived as having a lower risk than tobacco, alcohol, or painkillers. This perception of it being “less harmful” can be attributed to the fact that, as reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there have been no documented cases of marijuana-related overdoses [3].
However, it’s worth noting that marijuana is often found in the systems of drivers involved in fatal accidents (approximately 14% of drivers), although it is frequently used in combination with alcohol or other substances.
Despite the widespread use and growing acceptance of marijuana and its legalization in some areas of the country, marijuana-related arrests continue to make up a significant portion of overall arrests. FBI data reveals that in 2022, law enforcement agencies made 227,108 marijuana-related arrests [8], of which 92% were marijuana possession.
Based on recent cannabis statistics, it is clear that cannabis is becoming increasingly popular and
socially acceptable. However, it is important to approach this trend cautiously and consider the
potential risks and consequences of cannabis use. As more research is conducted and laws continue to
evolve, it will be interesting to see how attitudes towards marijuana change in the coming years.
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