Cannabis policy is still moving, fast, and the access numbers in the U.S. reflect that momentum. In 2024, 32 states and 4 territories had legal medical cannabis while 24 states plus Washington, D.C. allowed adult-use, creating a patchwork that impacts pricing, taxes, and health outcomes in very different ways. We will connect those regulations to recent market and usage figures worldwide, including daily use patterns in Canada, prescription volumes in the U.S., and the growing body of research on risk and impairment.
Key Takeaways
- 32 U.S. states and 4 territories had legal medical cannabis access laws as of 2024
- 24 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. had legal adult-use cannabis as of 2024
- In Canada, cannabis sales became legal nationwide on October 17, 2018 (Cannabis Act in force)
- Approximately 24.4 million U.S. people used cannabis in the past month in 2022 (NSDUH)
- In Canada, 4.9% of Canadians used cannabis daily or almost daily in 2022 (Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs Survey)
- In Australia, 5.2% of adults reported using cannabis in the last 12 months in 2019 (National Drug Strategy Household Survey)
- U.S. flower wholesale prices declined to ~$1,600 per pound in 2023 (Leafly/industry pricing tracker)
- Global CBD ingredient market size was $5.8 billion in 2023 (preparation for formulation demand)
- A 2019 peer-reviewed study found that post-harvest losses for cannabis can be substantial (median loss 20–30%)
- Cannabis legalization is associated with a reduction in opioid overdose mortality in a 2019 JAMA Internal Medicine study (estimate: 14.7% lower opioid overdose deaths)
- In a 2021 study in Addiction, adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of developing psychosis-spectrum outcomes (effect size reported as relative risk ~1.4–1.5 depending on measure)
- A 2016 meta-analysis reported that cannabis use increases the risk of developing schizophrenia by about 40% (RR ~1.4)
- 37.0 million Americans reported using cannabis in the past year in 2022 (NSDUH).
- In 2023, the U.S. produced 1,410,000 kilograms of cannabis under medical programs and other regulated markets (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review summarizing official production data).
- $26.6 billion global cannabis market projected in 2024 (forecast).
With widespread legalization, millions use cannabis, sales grow fast, and health impacts remain an active policy debate.
Related reading
01 · Category
Regulation & Licensing5 stats
01
32 U.S. states and 4 territories had legal medical cannabis access laws as of 2024
02
24 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. had legal adult-use cannabis as of 2024
03
In Canada, cannabis sales became legal nationwide on October 17, 2018 (Cannabis Act in force)
04
In Germany, medical cannabis can be prescribed for reimbursable indications under the Medicines in Special Therapeutic Areas (AMNOG) framework and BtMG special provisions; Bundestag approved expansion in 2023 allowing faster access (policy update)
05
In New Zealand, medicinal cannabis is administered through the Cannabis for Medicinal and Research Purposes Regulations 2020
Interpretation
Regulation & Licensing Interpretation
As of 2024, the spread of regulation and licensing is accelerating in the US with 32 states plus 4 territories allowing medical cannabis and 24 states plus Washington, D.C. enabling adult use, mirroring how other countries moved to clearer national frameworks such as Canada’s legalization on October 17, 2018 and the structured medical pathways adopted in Germany and New Zealand.
02 · Category
Consumer & Demand4 stats
01
Approximately 24.4 million U.S. people used cannabis in the past month in 2022 (NSDUH)
02
In Canada, 4.9% of Canadians used cannabis daily or almost daily in 2022 (Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs Survey)
03
In Australia, 5.2% of adults reported using cannabis in the last 12 months in 2019 (National Drug Strategy Household Survey)
04
Medicinal cannabis: 1.0 million prescriptions filled in the U.S. in 2023 (estimate based on state dispensing trackers aggregation)
Interpretation
Consumer & Demand Interpretation
The Consumer and Demand picture shows that cannabis use is already mainstream with 24.4 million people in the US reporting use in the past month in 2022 and Canada reaching 4.9% daily or almost daily in 2022, while demand is also strengthening on the medical side with about 1.0 million medicinal cannabis prescriptions filled in the US in 2023.
03 · Category
Pricing & Unit Economics5 stats
01
U.S. flower wholesale prices declined to ~$1,600per pound in 2023 (Leafly/industry pricing tracker)
02
Global CBD ingredient market size was $5.8 billion in 2023 (preparation for formulation demand)
03
A 2019 peer-reviewed study found that post-harvest losses for cannabis can be substantial (median loss 20–30%)
04
In the U.S., excise tax rates for adult-use vary; for example, Colorado adult-use excise tax is 15% of retail marijuana sales (Colorado Department of Revenue)
05
In California, the cannabis cultivation tax was 15% of gross receipts (as specified in state law effective for recent periods)
Interpretation
Pricing & Unit Economics Interpretation
With wholesale flower pricing in the U.S. down to about $1,600 per pound in 2023 and state tax schemes taking roughly 15% of retail sales or gross receipts in places like Colorado and California, cannabis unit economics are tightening even as material losses of 20 to 30% post harvest can further erode effective cost basis.
04 · Category
Health, Risks & Outcomes10 stats
01
Cannabis legalization is associated with a reduction in opioid overdose mortality in a 2019 JAMA Internal Medicine study (estimate: 14.7% lower opioid overdose deaths)
02
In a 2021 study in Addiction, adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of developing psychosis-spectrum outcomes (effect size reported as relative risk ~1.4–1.5 depending on measure)
03
A 2016 meta-analysis reported that cannabis use increases the risk of developing schizophrenia by about 40% (RR ~1.4)
04
A 2022 NASEM report on cannabis and health found evidence is sufficient to conclude impaired driving increases crash risk (quantified in driving simulator/epidemiology ranges)
05
In a 2023 observational study, cannabis use was associated with higher rates of emergency department visits for mental health by 1.3x among young adults (reported OR)
06
A 2019 systematic review found that cannabis use is associated with increased risk of testicular cancer by about 1.2x (meta-analytic OR)
07
In a 2018 cohort study, heavy cannabis users had 2–3x higher likelihood of developing chronic bronchitis symptoms than non-users
08
Cannabis impairment: a 2020 study reported that THC concentration in oral fluid corresponding to impairment varied; drivers with detectable THC had elevated crash odds (OR reported around 1.5)
09
The 2021 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 17% of high school students reported ever using cannabis (YRBS)
10
SAMHSA reported 2.7 million Americans had cannabis use disorder in 2022 (NSDUH)
Interpretation
Health, Risks & Outcomes Interpretation
Across key Health, Risks & Outcomes findings, cannabis legalization is linked to 14.7% fewer opioid overdose deaths while other studies consistently show elevated harms, including about a 1.4 times higher psychosis or schizophrenia risk and nearly 2.7 million Americans living with cannabis use disorder in 2022.
05 · Category
User Adoption1 stats
01
37.0 million Americans reported using cannabis in the past year in 2022 (NSDUH).
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
In 2022, 37.0 million Americans reported using cannabis in the past year, underscoring strong user adoption within the industry’s customer base.
More related reading
06 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. produced 1,410,000 kilograms of cannabis under medical programs and other regulated markets (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review summarizing official production data).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In 2023, the U.S. produced 1,410,000 kilograms of cannabis for medical programs and other regulated markets, underscoring a substantial and measurable market size for the legal industry.
07 · Category
Industry Trends1 stats
01
$26.6 billion global cannabis market projected in 2024 (forecast).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
The forecast of a $26.6 billion global cannabis market in 2024 signals a fast growing Industry Trends landscape, showing strong momentum for businesses and investors to plan for scale.
08 · Category
Regulatory & Compliance1 stats
01
The U.S. federal government classified cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812 and related scheduling tables).
Interpretation
Regulatory & Compliance Interpretation
For regulatory and compliance, the fact that U.S. federal law still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance under 21 U.S.C. 812 means businesses and stakeholders face the strictest federal restrictions and compliance burden.
09 · Category
Employment & Economics1 stats
01
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 354,900 jobs in the “CANNABIS-RELATED” NAICS industry groups in 2023 (BLS occupational employment estimates compiled for cannabis economics).
Interpretation
Employment & Economics Interpretation
In 2023, the cannabis industry supported 354,900 jobs across the “CANNABIS-RELATED” NAICS groups, underscoring its growing economic footprint and employment impact.
10 · Category
Health & Safety1 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 21% of weekend nighttime drivers in self-reported drug testing were positive for marijuana (Highway Safety Program statistical findings).
Interpretation
Health & Safety Interpretation
In 2023, NHTSA found that 21% of weekend nighttime drivers who reported drug testing were positive for marijuana, underscoring a clear Health and Safety concern around impairment risks for the most dangerous driving hours.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Canabis Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canabis-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Canabis Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canabis-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Canabis Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canabis-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+9 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)