https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2023_en
Cannabis continues to reign unchallenged as the most widely used illegal drug in the European arena, a fact corroborated by the data made available in the European Drug Report 2023. This page offers an elaborate, comprehensive, and up-to-date analysis of the cannabis situation spread across European territories. It provides an all-encompassing view of the integral facets of cannabis consumption, such as its prevalence, the demand for treatment, seizure rates, pricing and purity levels, associated harms, and much more. This insight into Europe’s cannabis situation is a part of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction’s (EMCDDA) broader annual report on the drug scene in Europe. The European Drug Report 2023 thoroughly scrutinizes the overall narcotic landscape, laying particular emphasis on the most commonly consumed illicit drug – cannabis. As of the most recent update on the 16th of June, 2023, the report conclusively states that cannabis remains the predominant illicit substance in Europe. This fact is based on a wide array of metrics, ranging from user prevalence to health impacts, to law enforcement seizures. A critical component of the report involves an examination of the prevalence of cannabis use across Europe. To this end, it studies the extent of cannabis consumption across different age groups and demographics, offering an in-depth look into the societal reach of this drug. Moreover, the report also investigates the demand for treatment resulting from cannabis use. This analysis provides crucial insights into the health impacts and the degree of addiction caused by the substance, thereby revealing the drug’s influence on the healthcare system. Another pertinent aspect covered in the report is the data regarding seizures of cannabis. Law enforcement actions such as these reflect the magnitude of illegal cannabis trafficking and trade within European borders. This, in turn, provides us with a clearer picture of the illicit drug market’s size and operation. Additionally, the analysis delves into the price and purity of cannabis. By studying these factors, the report enables a better understanding of the drug’s market dynamics, including supply, demand, and consumer behavior. The report also addresses the harms caused by cannabis. These include both direct harms, such as health issues, and indirect harms, such as societal and economic consequences. This comprehensive examination of cannabis-related harms provides a multi-dimensional perspective on the drug’s impact on individuals and society at large. In conclusion, this page forms an integral part of the EMCDDA’s annual overview, the European Drug Report 2023. It provides a holistic and in-depth view of the cannabis situation in Europe, thereby contributing significantly to our understanding of the broader drug scenario in the region. Stay tuned for future updates and continuous monitoring of the evolving cannabis landscape in Europe. Last updated: 16 June 2023

Unraveling the Public Health Consequences of Ubiquitous Cannabis Products Cannabis holds a prominent place as the most frequently consumed illicit drug across Europe. When scrutinized on a national level, surveys on cannabis use suggest that approximately 8% of European adults, which equates to an estimated 22.6 million individuals aged between 15 and 64, have used cannabis in the last year. This information is, however, subject to change due to the diverse levels and patterns of cannabis use highlighted in recent national data (refer to the Prevalence of Cannabis Use in Europe dashboard for more information). Within the European Union, about 1.3% of the adult population, or approximately 3.7 million individuals, are believed to be daily or nearly daily users of cannabis. This segment of the population is more likely to encounter issues related to cannabis use. Despite the frequency of cannabis consumption within this group, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the problems that these individuals face due to cannabis use. Furthermore, the referral pathways and treatment options available to those grappling with cannabis-related problems need to be explored more thoroughly. Cannabis is associated with nearly one-third of all drug treatment admissions in Europe, a statistic that is challenging to interpret due to the wide variety of interventions offered to cannabis users. Some of these interventions may be directive referrals emanating from the criminal justice system, underlining the complex interplay between illicit substance use and legal implications. A recent review conducted by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) identified an uptick in the availability of psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapies, for individuals experiencing problems related to cannabis use. These interventions are sometimes delivered via telemedicine or digital applications, signalling a shift towards more accessible and innovative treatment options. When examining those who have entered specialist drug treatment for the first time, the proportion of people who cited cannabis as their primary problematic drug remained below the levels reported pre-COVID-19 pandemic across most EU Member States in 2021 (refer to the Users Entering Treatment for Cannabis infographic for more information). Overall, the number of individuals reported as entering treatment for cannabis-related problems maintained a relatively steady pace up until 2019. However, a decline was noted during the global pandemic, and the numbers have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Still, the interpretation of these trends is complicated due to data limitations and inconsistencies. Comprehensive and reliable data is integral to fully understand the scope of cannabis use and the associated problems, which, in turn, is critical for the development and implementation of effective public health policies and practices.

In the year 2021, both the quantities of cannabis resin and herbal cannabis that were seized hit their highest point in a span of ten years. This marked increase points to the significant availability of this particular drug, a trend that is clearly depicted by the Cannabis market infographic provided below. The data suggests a clear growth in the cannabis market, both in terms of production and consumption. Spain emerges as a key player in this scenario, accounting for a massive 66% of the total number of cannabis seizures within the European Union. To add to this, Spain also boasts a whopping 74% of all the EU seizures of cannabis plants when reported by weight. This data underlines the influential role of Spain in the cannabis market, not just as a transit country facilitating cannabis trafficking, but also as a significant production area. However, it is imperative to note that notable cannabis production is not limited to Spain alone. On the contrary, it is a phenomenon that is dispersed across various regions within the European Union. The geographical distribution of cannabis production within the EU is vast and varied, contributing significantly to the overall availability of the drug. The quantities of cannabis resin seized in Europe exceeded that of herbal cannabis. This discrepancy is thought to reflect the heightened vulnerability of cannabis resin to interdiction measures employed in cross-border trafficking, as opposed to the actual availability or usage of the drug. It does not necessarily imply a higher demand or consumption of cannabis resin. Herbal cannabis, in fact, appears to be the most commonly available form of the drug in a majority of countries. The diversity of cannabis products available in Europe is on the rise. This is observed not merely in the illicit drug market but also in consumer markets, which are now seeing the advent of products containing minimal levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. In addition to THC, these new products are also known to contain other cannabinoids, expanding the range and variety of cannabis-derived products available to consumers. The variety and availability of these products are indicators of the changing dynamics of both the illicit drug market and the legal consumer market. The increasing diversity of cannabis products perhaps mirrors the changing attitudes and regulations surrounding cannabis use across Europe. Therefore, it would seem that the cannabis market in Europe is not just growing, but also evolving to accommodate new forms and types of products, a trend that is likely to continue in the years to come.

substances derived from the cannabis plant such as CBD.

In the realm of the illicit drug market, one of the most significant concerns is the availability of extremely potent extracts and edibles. These substances, owing to their considerably high potency, have been directly associated with incidents of acute toxicity. Such cases frequently present themselves in hospital emergency departments, adding to the already overwhelming load of medical professionals. These incidents underscore the potential harm brought about by these substances, representing a public health concern that needs immediate attention. The manifold issues surrounding the illicit drug market do not end with the availability of high-potency extracts and edibles. Another alarming issue lies in the possibility of adulteration in products marketed as natural cannabis. There are growing concerns that these so-called natural cannabis products may, in reality, be adulterated with powerful synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids are created in laboratories and designed to mimic the effects of naturally occurring cannabinoids, but they can be far more potent and carry significant health risks. The potential for such adulteration not only misleads consumers about what they are ingesting but also poses a significant health risk due to the unpredictable effects of these synthetic substances. In recent times, the semi-synthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has emerged on the market. It has become commercially marketed in several EU Member States and is being sold as a ‘legal’ alternative to cannabis. The emergence of such substances adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging task of regulating the drug market. While the ‘legal’ label may make HHC seem less harmful or risky, the fact is that its effects and potential risks remain largely unknown. The lack of research and understanding about these new substances makes it impossible for users to make informed decisions about their use. Moreover, the proliferation of such ‘legal’ alternatives to cannabis augments the regulatory challenges in this area. The task of regulating the market becomes even more complicated when these new substances, like HHC, enter the fray. While they might be marketed and sold as legal alternatives, their actual impact on health, both in the short and long term, remains largely unknown. This uncertainty further complicates the task of policy-making and law enforcement, as regulators grapple with the need to protect public health while also addressing the legal ambiguities surrounding these substances. In conclusion, the illicit drug market presents a multitude of challenges, from the availability of highly potent substances and the potential adulteration of supposedly natural products to the emergence of new, semi-synthetic substances like HHC. Each issue adds to the difficult task of regulation, requiring a robust and well-informed approach to ensure public health is adequately protected.

Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use
When considering the information available regarding the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use, the data shows that last year, the estimated usage of cannabis in the European Union population, specifically those aged between 15 and 34, was at 15.1% or roughly 15.3 million individuals. As per the patterns observed, it was revealed that males are typically twice as likely to report using cannabis compared to their female counterparts. This gender difference in cannabis use prevalence has been a consistent pattern observed over the years, highlighting the different societal and cultural norms that influence drug use behavior among males and females. Digging deeper into age-based statistics, it was estimated that 18.2%, or approximately 8.6 million out of the 15 to 24-year-old demographic, had used cannabis over the course of the last year. Further, 9.6% or around 4.5 million individuals from this age group had utilized the drug within the past month. Such data is crucial for understanding emerging patterns of drug use and devising appropriate public health responses. Simultaneously, it was estimated that about 1.3%, or around 3.7 million among adults aged between 15 to 64, are daily or nearly daily cannabis users. This implies that these individuals have used the drug on 20 days or more in the last month. Among the younger demographic of 15- to 34-year-olds, this estimate was slightly higher at 2.1 %, which translates to approximately 2.1 million users. The majority of these frequent cannabis users are male (approximately three-quarters) and most of them (57%) are under the age of 35.

Trends in National Level Cannabis Use
When considering cannabis use at the national level, the trends appear to be mixed. Of the countries that have conducted surveys since 2020 and have reported their confidence intervals, three countries reported higher estimates, three reported stable figures, and six reported a decrease compared to their previous comparable survey. This mixed trend underscores the complexity of drug use patterns and highlights the need for country-specific strategies to address the issue. The 2021 European Web Survey on Drugs made some interesting revelations about the different forms of cannabis usage. It found that herbal cannabis was the most popular form of the drug, used by a whopping 95% of respondents who used cannabis in the last 12 months. This is contrasted with 32% who reported using resin, 25% for those who consumed edibles, and 17% for those who used extracts. This data provides valuable insights into the diverse forms and methods of cannabis use, which can guide law enforcement agencies and health professionals in their efforts to address the associated challenges.

• In 2021, EU Member States reported 202 000 seizures of cannabis resin amounting to 816 tonnes (588 tonnes in 2020) and 240 000 seizures of herbal cannabis amounting to 256 tonnes (157 tonnes in 2020). In addition, Türkiye reported 9 800 seizures of cannabis resin amounting to 33 tonnes and 52 500 seizures of herbal cannabis amounting to 31 tonnes.
• Approximately 566 000 cannabis use or possession offences were reported in the European Union in 2021 (555 000 in 2020), alongside 100 000 supply offences (99 000 in 2020).
• In 2021, the average THC content of cannabis resin in the European Union was 20 %, more than twice that of herbal cannabis, at 9.5 %. However, samples of both forms of the drug can vary considerably.