German Study Shows Dramatic Increase In Cannabis Consumption

A study by UKE-Hamburg shows that the number of cannabis users in Europe has increased more than 25% over the second decade of the century.

According to a study conducted by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research at the University of Hamburg and the Technical University of Dresden, evaluated publicly available data from EU countries along with the UK, Norway, Turkey and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, cannabis use has increased dramatically across Europe.

According to such data, the number of adults, rather unsurprisingly, who have consumed cannabis has risen by an average of 27%. The strongest relative increase occurred among 35-64-year-olds, but overall regular consumption has also increased.

This is certainly interesting data simply because, both anecdotally and otherwise, even CBD stores are reporting a dramatic uptick in traffic as consumers try to ease Pandemic-related stress and anxiety.

However, this information is also coming at a time when many in Germany are calling for a comprehensive reform of the drug laws here – particularly as they relate to cannabis.

While this data also comes from police and crime interdiction reports (see the UN in particular) what this shows generally is that Europe, which has always been more cannabis-friendly (or at least less draconian) than the United States (see no widespread drug testing for employment as one example of the same), is finally starting to have a more honest conversation generally about the topic of cannabis reform.

With more and more countries admitting that cannabis has medical efficacy, even if grudgingly, as well as several now moving in the direction of home grow if not decriminalization, this data serves to underline a major and critical reality.

Cannabis as a medical drug, adult-use substance like but not as dangerous as alcohol and far less dangerous than tobacco consumption not to mention used in a vast variety of other products from food to cosmetics, building supplies to clothing, has hit the mainstream debate in Europe in a way that it has not before.

Change here may not happen as fast or in the same patterns as it did anywhere else, although it is beginning to resemble the fight for legalization in the United States.

And just like the US, there are starting to be clear movements, as well as official data, which points in the direction, finally of the next phase of cannabis reform – and both at a country and regional level.

Stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog for updates about the European cannabis industry.