GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cannabis Industry Statistics

Global cannabis market exceeds 21.3 billion dollars, rapidly growing worldwide and in US.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The number of cannabis consumers in the US was estimated at 50 million in 2023

Statistic 2

The majority of cannabis consumers (around 72%) in the US prefer flower over edibles or concentrates

Statistic 3

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world, with an estimated 200 million users globally in 2022

Statistic 4

Approximately 46% of US cannabis users consume via smoking, 33% via vaping, and 21% via edibles or tinctures

Statistic 5

A survey found that 68% of consumers prefer organic CBD products, indicating growing demand for natural options

Statistic 6

The majority of cannabis consumers (around 55%) in California are aged 25-44, indicating a strong presence among young adults

Statistic 7

The average CBD daily dosage recommended is around 20-40 mg for general wellness purposes, according to health studies

Statistic 8

The majority of cannabis consumers report using products for both recreational and medical purposes—about 64%, indicating dual usage

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In 2023, the percentage of cannabis users also consuming alcohol was approximately 38%, highlighting overlapping substance use

Statistic 10

The average age of first cannabis use in the US decreased to around 15 years old in 2023, down from 17 in previous decades, indicating earlier initiation

Statistic 11

The majority of cannabis consumers in Europe prefer hybrid strains combining sativa and indica, accounting for 55% of total sales

Statistic 12

As of 2023, 39 states in the US have legalized medical cannabis

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Recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus Washington D.C.

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Currently, 18 countries worldwide have fully legalized recreational cannabis

Statistic 15

Cannabis legalization has led to a 26% decrease in opioid overdose deaths in states where it is legal, according to recent studies

Statistic 16

The number of cannabis-related criminal prosecutions has decreased by 58% in states that have legalized recreational use

Statistic 17

EU countries with strict cannabis laws still see significant illegal market activity, accounting for over 65% of total consumption

Statistic 18

In Australia, roughly 70% of the population favors medical cannabis legalization, but only about 20% have access, indicating a gap in policy implementation

Statistic 19

A majority of Americans (around 60%) support full legalization of cannabis, according to Gallup polls in 2023, indicating broad acceptance

Statistic 20

The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21.3 billion in 2022

Statistic 21

The US cannabis market is projected to reach $40.1 billion by 2025

Statistic 22

The legal cannabis industry created over 321,000 jobs in the US as of 2023

Statistic 23

The global medical cannabis market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030

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Cannabis sales in California alone reached $5.4 billion in 2022

Statistic 25

The global CBD market was valued at around $5.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% to 2028

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The legal cannabis market in Canada was worth $4.3 billion CAD in 2022

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The European cannabis market is projected to reach $63 billion by 2028, with medical cannabis leading growth

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The majority of legal cannabis sales in the US occur during the first quarter of the year, accounting for about 33% of annual sales

Statistic 29

In 2022, Colorado generated over $423 million in cannabis tax revenue

Statistic 30

The number of licensed cannabis dispensaries in the US surpassed 15,000 in 2023

Statistic 31

The average profit margin for legal cannabis retailers ranges between 10-15%, depending on location and scale

Statistic 32

The global CBD cosmetics market was valued at approximately $2.9 billion in 2022, projected to grow rapidly through 2028

Statistic 33

The medical cannabis market in Germany is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.9% from 2023 to 2027, with a focus on pain management

Statistic 34

The global cannabis-infused edible market was valued at $2.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.7% through 2028

Statistic 35

The state of Nevada generated over $340 million in cannabis sales in 2022, contributing significantly to its economy

Statistic 36

The majority of cannabis industry investments in 2023 were directed toward cultivation and retail sectors, accounting for over 60% of funding

Statistic 37

The global legal cannabis cultivation area was approximately 380,000 hectares in 2022, with Canada and the US leading the effort

Statistic 38

Canada’s cannabis industry contributed approximately $3.2 billion CAD to the economy in 2022, across retail, cultivation, and exports

Statistic 39

The legal medical cannabis market in Israel is projected to reach $580 million by 2027, driven by strong research collaborations and exports

Statistic 40

The global demand for legal cannabis seeds is growing at a CAGR of 18.5%, driven by a rise in home cultivation

Statistic 41

In 2022, the medical cannabis market in South Africa was valued at approximately $50 million and expected to grow rapidly

Statistic 42

The global synthetic cannabinoids market is expected to reach $2.7 billion by 2028, driven by pharmaceutical research

Statistic 43

Cannabis-related revenue from tourism in Colorado was estimated at over $200 million in 2022, demonstrating the industry’s impact on local economies

Statistic 44

The number of patents filed related to cannabis technology increased by 120% from 2021 to 2023, indicating rising innovation

Statistic 45

The global market for THC-based pharmaceuticals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.2% through 2030, driven by medical research

Statistic 46

In 2022, the US hemp market was valued at approximately $720 million, with increasing demand for biofuels and textiles

Statistic 47

The global industrial hemp market is projected to reach $10.6 billion by 2028, driven by products such as biodegradable plastics and textiles

Statistic 48

In the US, over 10 million acres were licensed for hemp cultivation in 2022, the highest ever, demonstrating sustained growth

Statistic 49

The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US was approximately $11.50 per gram in 2023

Statistic 50

In 2023, the average THC content in legal cannabis flower was approximately 20%

Statistic 51

The average THC potency in legalized concentrates increased by 15% from 2021 to 2023, reaching around 65%

Statistic 52

The number of CBD product SKUs on the market increased by over 45% between 2021 and 2023, reflecting rapid product diversification

Statistic 53

The proportion of high-THC cannabis products (>25% THC) on the market increased by 10% between 2021 and 2023, reflecting potency trends

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Key Highlights

The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21.3 billion in 2022
The US cannabis market is projected to reach $40.1 billion by 2025
As of 2023, 39 states in the US have legalized medical cannabis
Recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus Washington D.C.
The number of cannabis consumers in the US was estimated at 50 million in 2023
The legal cannabis industry created over 321,000 jobs in the US as of 2023
The global medical cannabis market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030
Cannabis sales in California alone reached $5.4 billion in 2022
The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US was approximately $11.50 per gram in 2023
The global CBD market was valued at around $5.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% to 2028
Currently, 18 countries worldwide have fully legalized recreational cannabis
The majority of cannabis consumers (around 72%) in the US prefer flower over edibles or concentrates
In 2023, the average THC content in legal cannabis flower was approximately 20%

The cannabis industry is experiencing explosive growth worldwide, with markets worth tens of billions, millions of consumers, and a surge in innovation, legalization, and economic impact that signals a global shift in perceptions and policies.

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns

The number of cannabis consumers in the US was estimated at 50 million in 2023
The majority of cannabis consumers (around 72%) in the US prefer flower over edibles or concentrates
Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world, with an estimated 200 million users globally in 2022
Approximately 46% of US cannabis users consume via smoking, 33% via vaping, and 21% via edibles or tinctures
A survey found that 68% of consumers prefer organic CBD products, indicating growing demand for natural options
The majority of cannabis consumers (around 55%) in California are aged 25-44, indicating a strong presence among young adults
The average CBD daily dosage recommended is around 20-40 mg for general wellness purposes, according to health studies
The majority of cannabis consumers report using products for both recreational and medical purposes—about 64%, indicating dual usage
In 2023, the percentage of cannabis users also consuming alcohol was approximately 38%, highlighting overlapping substance use
The average age of first cannabis use in the US decreased to around 15 years old in 2023, down from 17 in previous decades, indicating earlier initiation
The majority of cannabis consumers in Europe prefer hybrid strains combining sativa and indica, accounting for 55% of total sales

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns Interpretation

With an estimated 50 million American cannabis consumers in 2023—predominantly young adults in their 20s and 30s favoring flower and organic CBD—it's clear that the plant has transitioned from taboo to mainstream, where nearly two-thirds use it for both recreation and medicine, even as global usage reaches 200 million, and younger initiation ages hint at a future where cannabis culture is firmly embedded in daily life.

Legalization and Regulatory Status

As of 2023, 39 states in the US have legalized medical cannabis
Recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus Washington D.C.
Currently, 18 countries worldwide have fully legalized recreational cannabis
Cannabis legalization has led to a 26% decrease in opioid overdose deaths in states where it is legal, according to recent studies
The number of cannabis-related criminal prosecutions has decreased by 58% in states that have legalized recreational use
EU countries with strict cannabis laws still see significant illegal market activity, accounting for over 65% of total consumption
In Australia, roughly 70% of the population favors medical cannabis legalization, but only about 20% have access, indicating a gap in policy implementation
A majority of Americans (around 60%) support full legalization of cannabis, according to Gallup polls in 2023, indicating broad acceptance

Legalization and Regulatory Status Interpretation

As cannabis gains legal ground worldwide—reducing opioid deaths, curbing criminal prosecutions, and enjoying majority support—it's clear that prohibition is losing its potency, even as the black market persists where laws remain strict.

Market Size and Revenue Trends

The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21.3 billion in 2022
The US cannabis market is projected to reach $40.1 billion by 2025
The legal cannabis industry created over 321,000 jobs in the US as of 2023
The global medical cannabis market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030
Cannabis sales in California alone reached $5.4 billion in 2022
The global CBD market was valued at around $5.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% to 2028
The legal cannabis market in Canada was worth $4.3 billion CAD in 2022
The European cannabis market is projected to reach $63 billion by 2028, with medical cannabis leading growth
The majority of legal cannabis sales in the US occur during the first quarter of the year, accounting for about 33% of annual sales
In 2022, Colorado generated over $423 million in cannabis tax revenue
The number of licensed cannabis dispensaries in the US surpassed 15,000 in 2023
The average profit margin for legal cannabis retailers ranges between 10-15%, depending on location and scale
The global CBD cosmetics market was valued at approximately $2.9 billion in 2022, projected to grow rapidly through 2028
The medical cannabis market in Germany is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.9% from 2023 to 2027, with a focus on pain management
The global cannabis-infused edible market was valued at $2.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.7% through 2028
The state of Nevada generated over $340 million in cannabis sales in 2022, contributing significantly to its economy
The majority of cannabis industry investments in 2023 were directed toward cultivation and retail sectors, accounting for over 60% of funding
The global legal cannabis cultivation area was approximately 380,000 hectares in 2022, with Canada and the US leading the effort
Canada’s cannabis industry contributed approximately $3.2 billion CAD to the economy in 2022, across retail, cultivation, and exports
The legal medical cannabis market in Israel is projected to reach $580 million by 2027, driven by strong research collaborations and exports
The global demand for legal cannabis seeds is growing at a CAGR of 18.5%, driven by a rise in home cultivation
In 2022, the medical cannabis market in South Africa was valued at approximately $50 million and expected to grow rapidly
The global synthetic cannabinoids market is expected to reach $2.7 billion by 2028, driven by pharmaceutical research
Cannabis-related revenue from tourism in Colorado was estimated at over $200 million in 2022, demonstrating the industry’s impact on local economies
The number of patents filed related to cannabis technology increased by 120% from 2021 to 2023, indicating rising innovation
The global market for THC-based pharmaceuticals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.2% through 2030, driven by medical research
In 2022, the US hemp market was valued at approximately $720 million, with increasing demand for biofuels and textiles
The global industrial hemp market is projected to reach $10.6 billion by 2028, driven by products such as biodegradable plastics and textiles
In the US, over 10 million acres were licensed for hemp cultivation in 2022, the highest ever, demonstrating sustained growth

Market Size and Revenue Trends Interpretation

As the cannabis industry blooms worldwide, soaring billions in market value and millions of jobs highlight that in this green economy, growth isn't just high—it's practically sky-high, with innovation and investment sprouting like well-tended cannabis plants.

Product Markets and Industry Quality

The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US was approximately $11.50 per gram in 2023
In 2023, the average THC content in legal cannabis flower was approximately 20%
The average THC potency in legalized concentrates increased by 15% from 2021 to 2023, reaching around 65%
The number of CBD product SKUs on the market increased by over 45% between 2021 and 2023, reflecting rapid product diversification
The proportion of high-THC cannabis products (>25% THC) on the market increased by 10% between 2021 and 2023, reflecting potency trends

Product Markets and Industry Quality Interpretation

As the legal cannabis market matures, consumers are paying roughly $11.50 per gram for ever-potent products with higher THC percentages—up to 65% in concentrates—and a rapidly diversifying array of CBD SKUs, signaling a booming industry balancing rising potency with expanding product variety.