Worldwide Cannabis Use: Reasons Behind the Rapid Growth
Cannabis use is rapidly growing worldwide. In the past ten years, cannabis consumption has increased from 124 million to 209 million people.
The World Health Organization reports that in 2016, there were nearly 180 million cannabis users throughout the world. This number represents 3% of all adults globally and 20% of young adults aged 15-24 years old. So why are so many people using cannabis? Here are some reasons behind this rapid growth.
The Internet Effect
We are currently living in a time where the internet has become influential in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The internet has created a new way to discuss and learn about the world around us, especially when it comes to cannabis use. With online platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and many more – people from all different backgrounds have been able to find their niche within the cannabis community through social media.
Social media has made it incredibly easy for people to access and share information in a way that was never possible before. In addition, online platforms have also allowed cannabis users worldwide to connect through various hashtags such as #cannabiscommunity or #legalizecanada.
The internet has also made it easier for people to access cannabis in a variety of different ways. With the rise of online dispensaries and websites many can now have cannabis delivered to their doorsteps with just a few clicks. Online dispensaries have also implemented new payment methods. This allows people in countries where credit cards are not yet widely used to use cash-on-delivery options when purchasing products through an ecommerce store.
The Legalization of Cannabis
The legalization of medical and recreational cannabis in many countries has caused a significant increase in cannabis use worldwide. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug, with an estimate of around 178 million people using it at least once per year. Although Africa and Asia have lower prevalence rates, the highest number of users reside in North America and Europe; 26 percent of Europeans use marijuana while only 11 percent of African-Americans and seven percent of Asians do.
The legalization in some countries has caused a rapid increase in cannabis use worldwide, like the United States. More than 33 million Americans used marijuana at least once during 2016, with an estimated 12% increase from 2015 to 2016 alone. This example shows how the legalization of cannabis can increase use in a country.
Legalization of marijuana products has also caused an increase in the number of users willing to seek help for their addiction and/or mental health issues due to reduced stigma around medical marijuana. Many countries have decriminalized and legalized medical or recreational usage while still prohibiting others; Germany is one example of this.
It’s no secret that the legalization of marijuana in some countries and its availability on the internet have led to increased cannabis users. With more people becoming interested in smoking weed, you should try and understand why many love weed and if there are benefits of cannabis use.