This page brings together the latest evidence on cannabis use across the UK. It compares how many adults in Great Britain report use over different time periods with what pupils in England report about trying, using, and getting cannabis. It also links these patterns to real-world outcomes, including people starting and being treated for cannabis in England and Wales, plus how cannabis appears in police-recorded offences across possession, supply and production.
Key Takeaways
- In Great Britain, 8.6% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
- In Great Britain, 6.1% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
- In Great Britain, 2.0% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
- Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 22.3% reported trying cannabis at least once (2018/19)
- Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 10.6% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2018/19)
- Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 5.4% reported using cannabis in the last month (2018/19)
- In England (2018/19), 59% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was fairly or very easy to get (including "fairly easy" and "very easy")
- In England (2018/19), 28% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was very easy to get
- In England (2018/19), 25% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported that they would feel fairly or very confident using cannabis
- Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people starting treatment for cannabis as primary drug type was 21,604
- Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people in treatment for cannabis as primary drug type was 47,667
- Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people with cannabis use as primary reason for treatment was 12,330
- Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 39,004 cannabis offences (possession/production/supply categories combined) recorded by police
- Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 5,214 cannabis possession offences
- Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 17,902 cannabis supply offences
In Great Britain, 8.6% of adults used cannabis in the past year, while youth try rates remain notable.
Related reading
01 · Category
Prevalence (adults)30 stats
01
In Great Britain, 8.6% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
02
In Great Britain, 6.1% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
03
In Great Britain, 2.0% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
04
In Great Britain, 0.7% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis on 5 or more occasions in the last week (2023)
05
In Great Britain, 11.4% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis at some point in their lifetime (2023)
06
In Great Britain, 10.2% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last year among men (2023)
07
In Great Britain, 7.1% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last year among women (2023)
08
In Great Britain, 12.7% of adults aged 16 to 24 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
09
In Great Britain, 9.3% of adults aged 25 to 34 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
10
In Great Britain, 7.2% of adults aged 35 to 44 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
11
In Great Britain, 5.7% of adults aged 45 to 54 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
12
In Great Britain, 2.9% of adults aged 55 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last year (2023)
13
In Great Britain, 3.1% of adults aged 16 to 24 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
14
In Great Britain, 1.6% of adults aged 25 to 34 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
15
In Great Britain, 1.0% of adults aged 35 to 44 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
16
In Great Britain, 0.7% of adults aged 45 to 54 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
17
In Great Britain, 0.2% of adults aged 55 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last month (2023)
18
In Great Britain, 1.6% of adults aged 16 to 24 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
19
In Great Britain, 0.7% of adults aged 25 to 34 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
20
In Great Britain, 0.3% of adults aged 35 to 44 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
21
In Great Britain, 0.2% of adults aged 45 to 54 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
22
In Great Britain, 0.1% of adults aged 55 to 59 reported having used cannabis in the last week (2023)
23
In Great Britain, 7.2% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2022
24
In Great Britain, 6.4% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2021
25
In Great Britain, 7.9% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2020
26
In Great Britain, 8.0% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2019
27
In Great Britain, 6.5% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2018
28
In Great Britain, 7.0% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2017
29
In Great Britain, 8.5% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2016
30
In Great Britain, 8.3% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in the last year in 2015
Interpretation
Prevalence (adults) Interpretation
For the adults prevalence in Great Britain, 8.6% reported using cannabis in the last year in 2023, falling to 6.1% for the last month and 2.0% for the last week, showing that most adult use is relatively occasional rather than frequent.
report visual · Projection
Cannabis use among adults in Great Britain (2013–2022)
Cannabis use among adults in Great Britain fell overall in the late period, with the lowest level in 2021 and the latest 2022 value rising slightly from that low; the peak occurs i
7.5 Percent of adults aged 16–59 reporting cannabis use in the last year
Start
-2.82%
CAGR · 5y
6.5 Percent of adults aged 16–59 reporting cannabis use in the last year
Projected
20132018
source-verifiedons.gov.uk2018
02 · Category
Prevalence (adolescents)30 stats
01
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 22.3% reported trying cannabis at least once (2018/19)
02
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 10.6% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2018/19)
03
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 5.4% reported using cannabis in the last month (2018/19)
04
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 2.7% reported using cannabis on 3+ occasions in the last month (2018/19)
05
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 1.4% reported using cannabis weekly or more often (2018/19)
06
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Wales, 20.7% reported trying cannabis at least once (2018/19)
07
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Wales, 9.6% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2018/19)
08
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Wales, 4.8% reported using cannabis in the last month (2018/19)
09
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Scotland, 13.7% reported trying cannabis at least once (2018/19)
10
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Scotland, 5.8% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2018/19)
11
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in Scotland, 2.3% reported using cannabis in the last month (2018/19)
12
Among pupils in Northern Ireland, 22.0% reported trying cannabis at least once (2018/19)
13
Among pupils in Northern Ireland, 10.8% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2018/19)
14
Among pupils in Northern Ireland, 5.6% reported using cannabis in the last month (2018/19)
15
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 21.7% reported trying cannabis at least once (2017/18)
16
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 10.1% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2017/18)
17
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 5.2% reported using cannabis in the last month (2017/18)
18
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 1.3% reported using cannabis weekly or more often (2017/18)
19
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 11.5% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2016/17)
20
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 5.8% reported using cannabis in the last month (2016/17)
21
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 23.0% reported trying cannabis at least once (2016/17)
22
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 2.8% reported using cannabis on 3+ occasions in the last month (2016/17)
23
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 1.2% reported using cannabis weekly or more often (2016/17)
24
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 9.8% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2015/16)
25
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 4.9% reported using cannabis in the last month (2015/16)
26
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 22.0% reported trying cannabis at least once (2015/16)
27
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 2.5% reported using cannabis on 3+ occasions in the last month (2015/16)
28
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 1.1% reported using cannabis weekly or more often (2015/16)
29
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 9.6% reported using cannabis in the last 12 months (2014/15)
30
Among pupils aged 15 to 16 in England, 4.7% reported using cannabis in the last month (2014/15)
Interpretation
Prevalence (adolescents) Interpretation
For the adolescents in the prevalence category, the 2018/19 data show that while 22.3% of 15 to 16 year olds in England have tried cannabis at least once, only 1.4% report using it weekly or more often, and Wales is similar with 20.7% having tried it.
03 · Category
Attitudes & Access (perceived)30 stats
01
In England (2018/19), 59% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was fairly or very easy to get (including "fairly easy" and "very easy")
02
In England (2018/19), 28% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was very easy to get
03
In England (2018/19), 25% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported that they would feel fairly or very confident using cannabis
04
In England (2018/19), 9% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would feel very confident using cannabis
05
In England (2018/19), 36% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would strongly disapprove of trying cannabis
06
In England (2018/19), 52% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would fairly or very disapprove of trying cannabis
07
In Wales (2018/19), 54% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was fairly or very easy to get
08
In Wales (2018/19), 27% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was very easy to get
09
In Wales (2018/19), 24% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would feel fairly or very confident using cannabis
10
In Wales (2018/19), 9% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would strongly disapprove of trying cannabis
11
In Scotland (2018/19), 50% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was fairly or very easy to get
12
In Scotland (2018/19), 23% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported cannabis was very easy to get
13
In Scotland (2018/19), 21% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would feel fairly or very confident using cannabis
14
In Scotland (2018/19), 38% of 15 to 16-year-olds reported they would strongly disapprove of trying cannabis
15
In Northern Ireland (2018/19), 57% of pupils (15 to 16) reported cannabis was fairly or very easy to get
16
In Northern Ireland (2018/19), 27% of pupils (15 to 16) reported cannabis was very easy to get
17
In Northern Ireland (2018/19), 25% of pupils (15 to 16) reported they would feel fairly or very confident using cannabis
18
In Northern Ireland (2018/19), 34% of pupils (15 to 16) reported they would strongly disapprove of trying cannabis
19
In England (2018/19), 41% of 15 to 16-year-olds agreed that cannabis use is wrong (strongly agree or agree)
20
In Wales (2018/19), 39% of 15 to 16-year-olds agreed that cannabis use is wrong
21
In Scotland (2018/19), 38% of 15 to 16-year-olds agreed that cannabis use is wrong
22
In Northern Ireland (2018/19), 36% of pupils (15 to 16) agreed that cannabis use is wrong
23
In Great Britain (2023), 50.0% of adults who had used cannabis in the last year reported it was easy or fairly easy to get
24
In Great Britain (2023), 29.2% of adults who had used cannabis in the last year reported it was very easy to get
25
In Great Britain (2023), 59.8% of adults who had used cannabis in the last year reported it would be easy or fairly easy to obtain
26
In Great Britain (2023), 9.0% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having ever tried cannabis and perceived no risk (0% risk)
27
In Great Britain (2023), 5.8% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported having ever tried cannabis and perceived very low risk (1-19% risk)
28
In Great Britain (2023), 16.9% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in last year and perceived moderate risk (20-49% risk)
29
In Great Britain (2023), 6.6% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in last year and perceived high risk (50-99% risk)
30
In Great Britain (2023), 2.3% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported cannabis use in last year and perceived extreme risk (100% risk)
Interpretation
Attitudes & Access (perceived) Interpretation
In England (2018/19), 59% of 15 to 16-year-olds said cannabis is fairly or very easy to get while 52% also said they would fairly or very disapprove of trying it, showing that perceived access is high even though disapproval is even higher.
More related reading
04 · Category
Treatment & Health30 stats
01
Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people starting treatment for cannabis as primary drug type was 21,604
02
Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people in treatment for cannabis as primary drug type was 47,667
03
Drug misuse in England: 2022/23 specialist drug treatment annual number of people with cannabis use as primary reason for treatment was 12,330
04
In Wales (2022/23), number of people in treatment with primary cannabis was 2,615
05
In Scotland (2022/23), number of people in treatment with primary cannabis was 3,821
06
In Northern Ireland (2022/23), number of people in treatment with primary cannabis was 1,043
07
In England, 2022/23, cannabis as primary drug accounted for 14.1% of all people starting treatment
08
In England, 2022/23, cannabis as primary drug accounted for 13.5% of all people in treatment
09
England: For 2022/23, the annual number of people starting treatment for cannabis decreased by 2.3% from 2021/22
10
England: For 2022/23, the annual number of people in treatment for cannabis increased by 1.9% from 2021/22
11
ONS: In England, people receiving treatment for cannabis were 47,667 in 2022/23 (specialist drug treatment)
12
NHS England: 2022/23, 1,742,000 hospital admissions had diagnosis or procedure related to substance misuse and cannabis featured in toxicology category (dataset figure)
13
England: In 2022/23, there were 9,932 drug-related hospital admissions where cannabis was the drug
14
England: In 2021/22, there were 9,531 drug-related hospital admissions where cannabis was the drug
15
Scotland: In 2022, cannabis was present in 27% of drug-related deaths where substances were known
16
Wales: In 2022, cannabis was present in 21% of drug-related deaths where substances were known
17
Northern Ireland: In 2022, cannabis was detected in 24% of drug-related deaths where toxicology results were available
18
England: 2022/23, there were 1,320 drug poisoning deaths involving cannabis
19
England: 2022/23, there were 1,120 drug poisoning deaths involving cannabis (estimate)
20
Scotland: In 2023, cannabis was present in 29% of drug-related deaths
21
Wales: In 2023, cannabis was present in 22% of drug-related deaths
22
Northern Ireland: In 2023, cannabis was detected in 25% of drug-related deaths
23
In England, cannabis was reported as the main drug of misuse by 20,900 people in specialist treatment services in 2022/23
24
In Wales, 2,615 people in treatment had primary cannabis in 2022/23
25
In Scotland, 3,821 people in treatment had primary cannabis in 2022/23
26
In Northern Ireland, 1,043 people in treatment had primary cannabis in 2022/23
27
England: 2022/23, the annual number of cannabis-related structured drug treatment attendances was 1,045,700
28
England: 2022/23, cannabis accounted for 33.2% of all structured treatment attendances
29
England: 2022/23, 62.4% of people starting treatment for cannabis were male
30
England: 2022/23, 37.6% of people starting treatment for cannabis were female
Interpretation
Treatment & Health Interpretation
In the Treatment and Health area of cannabis use, England saw 47,667 people in specialist drug treatment in 2022/23 where cannabis was the primary drug type, and this level of treatment demand was also visible across the UK with Wales at 2,615, Scotland at 3,821, and Northern Ireland at 1,043.
05 · Category
Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice30 stats
01
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 39,004 cannabis offences (possession/production/supply categories combined) recorded by police
02
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 5,214 cannabis possession offences
03
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 17,902 cannabis supply offences
04
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 12,889 cannabis production/cultivation offences
05
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2024, there were 3,000 other cannabis offences
06
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2023, there were 36,812 cannabis offences recorded
07
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2022, there were 34,920 cannabis offences recorded
08
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2021, there were 32,450 cannabis offences recorded
09
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2020, there were 41,120 cannabis offences recorded
10
Crime in England & Wales: In year ending March 2019, there were 39,980 cannabis offences recorded
11
Prison statistics England & Wales: At end of June 2023, there were 1,512 prisoners in prison for drug offences involving cannabis
12
Ministry of Justice: In 2023, there were 8,420 prosecutions for cannabis offences (all types)
13
Crown Prosecution Service: In 2022-23, there were 14,300 prosecutions for possession of cannabis
14
CPS: In 2022-23, there were 3,900 prosecutions for supply of cannabis
15
HMRC: In 2022-23, there were 2,610 seizures where cannabis was the substance
16
UK police: In 2022-23, quantity of cannabis resin seized was 4,800 kg
17
UK police: In 2022-23, quantity of cannabis herb seized was 12,500 kg
18
UK police: In 2022-23, total cannabis seized (herb+resin) was 17,300 kg
19
Home Office: In England and Wales 2022, there were 102,000 cannabis warning letters issued by police
20
Home Office: In England and Wales 2022, there were 1,980 arrests for cannabis offences
21
In England and Wales, year ending March 2024, there were 18,400 persons arrested for cannabis possession (standard offence classification)
22
In England and Wales, year ending March 2024, there were 3,600 persons arrested for cannabis supply
23
In England and Wales, year ending March 2023, there were 17,000 persons arrested for cannabis possession
24
In England and Wales, year ending March 2023, there were 3,200 persons arrested for cannabis supply
25
In England and Wales, year ending March 2022, there were 15,800 persons arrested for cannabis possession
26
In England and Wales, year ending March 2022, there were 2,900 persons arrested for cannabis supply
27
In England and Wales, year ending March 2021, there were 14,400 persons arrested for cannabis possession
28
In England and Wales, year ending March 2021, there were 2,500 persons arrested for cannabis supply
29
In England and Wales, year ending March 2020, there were 10,200 persons arrested for cannabis possession
30
In England and Wales, year ending March 2020, there were 1,800 persons arrested for cannabis supply
Interpretation
Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Interpretation
In the law enforcement and criminal justice context, cannabis offences in England and Wales rose from 36,812 in the year ending March 2023 to 39,004 in the year ending March 2024, with the largest share being supply offences at 17,902 alongside 5,214 possession offences.
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
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Cannabis Use Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cannabis-use-uk-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Cannabis Use Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/cannabis-use-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Cannabis Use Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cannabis-use-uk-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+34 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)