UN says marijuana legalization increases consumption

The United Nations reports that legalizing recreational cannabis has fueled a rise in its consumption and potency, alongside its social "normalization," especially in North America. The World Drug Report, released Friday in Vienna, suggests these trends are partly driven by evolving perceptions of the drug as numerous jurisdictions, primarily in North America, have adopted legalization or decriminalization policies.

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The production, trafficking and consumption of cannabis are evolving, probably in part due to the ongoing changes in the perception of the drug at a time when many jurisdictions, particularly in North America, have adopted policies of legalization or decriminalization.

Over the past decade, more than 20 U.S. states, Canada, and countries like Uruguay have legalized recreational cannabis, activities previously prohibited by international treaties that permitted only medical or scientific use. Cannabis remains the world's most popular drug, with 256 million consumers in 2024, a 40% increase from ten years prior. Globally, 4.8% of individuals aged 15-64 consumed cannabis in 2024, up from 3.8% a decade ago. North America leads with the highest user rate, at 20.5% of its adult population.

The report highlights a mutual influence between legal frameworks and consumption patterns, reinforcing a cycle of growing normalization. In North America, the legalization of non-medical cannabis has progressed through gradual normalization, significantly boosted by commercial promotion. This normalization reflects societal shifts, such as in Canada, where social acceptance of non-medical cannabis use has notably increased, leading to a reduced perception of risk associated with its consumption. The report points out that in the U.S., regular use of high-potency cannabis products has recently surpassed daily alcohol consumption.

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In North America, the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use has advanced along a continuous process of gradual normalization of consumption, driven largely by the commercial promotion of medicinal cannabis.

Legalization has also spurred a competitive dynamic with the black market, which offers more potent and cheaper products to retain customers. The UN report further revealed that global drug users reached a record 331 million in 2024, a third more than a decade ago. This surge is attributed to the rise in cannabis, cocaine, and synthetic opioids, while many individuals with addiction disorders still lack access to treatment. This figure represents 6.2% of the world's 15-64 population, a 34% increase from 2014.

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the use of regular cannabis products, particularly those of high potency, has surpassed in recent years the proportion of people who consume alcohol daily.