GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cannibis Industry Statistics

Global cannabis market surpasses $21 billion, predominantly in North America, with rapid industry growth.

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 legal cannabis consumers in the US reached approximately 43 million in 2023

Statistic 2

In 2022, roughly 43% of Americans aged 18+ reported having tried cannabis at least once

Statistic 3

The majority of cannabis consumers in the US are between 18-34 years old, constituting about 50% of users

Statistic 4

In California, nearly 50% of adults have tried cannabis at least once

Statistic 5

The percentage of active cannabis users in Colorado increased from 15% in 2014 to over 20% in 2022

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The median age of legal cannabis consumers in the US is around 39 years old

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The majority of legal cannabis sales in the US are for adult personal use, accounting for approximately 70%

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In the US, approximately 81% of cannabis consumers prefer flower over edibles and concentrates

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The number of medical cannabis patients in Israel exceeded 150,000 in 2022, making it one of the leading countries in medical cannabis use

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Approximately 20% of US cannabis consumers use cannabis daily, emphasizing the shift towards more habitual use

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Around 55% of US cannabis consumers prefer purchasing from licensed dispensaries rather than illegal sources, reflecting increasing legitimacy

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Approximately 75% of U.S. adults support legalizing marijuana, according to recent polls, indicating strong public support

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North America accounted for over 89% of the global cannabis market in 2022

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Medical cannabis is legal in 38 US states as of 2023

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Adult-use recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus DC

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The top three states for cannabis sales in the US are California, Colorado, and Washington, collectively accounting for over 50% of total sales

Statistic 17

The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US dropped by approximately 20% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 18

Canada’s legal cannabis market saw a 33% increase in sales from 2021 to 2022

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THC content in legal cannabis in some states can range up to 35%, significantly higher than in illegal markets

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The number of cannabis-related academic research papers increased by over 150% between 2018 and 2022

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The percentage of Americans supporting marijuana legalization increased to 68% in 2023

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The majority of cannabis sales in Colorado are through dispensaries, with less than 10% through delivery services

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The average THC potency in legal cannabis products reached around 20% in 2023, up from 12% in 2018

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The number of cannabis startups worldwide increased by over 170% between 2019 and 2022

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The average shelf time of legal cannabis products in dispensaries is approximately 6 months, after which products are disposed of or repackaged

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The percentage of cannabis consumers who prefer organic products is around 60%, indicating growing consumer demand for organic cannabis

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The average price per gram of legal cannabis in the US was around $10 in 2023, down from approximately $12 in 2021

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The number of cannabis-related patents filed globally has increased by over 200% between 2018 and 2023, indicating innovation in the industry

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The average THC content in legal flower strains in the US increased from 14% in 2018 to 20% in 2023, showing a trend toward higher potency products

Statistic 30

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

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The legal cannabis industry in the US generated $27.6 billion in 2022, increasing from $17.5 billion in 2020

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The US cannabis market created approximately 428,059 new jobs in 2022

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Legal cannabis sales in Canada surpassed $3 billion CAD in 2022

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The global CBD market alone was valued at $9.1 billion in 2022, expected to grow rapidly

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The global medical cannabis market is projected to reach $61.4 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 18.1%

Statistic 36

As of 2023, the number of cannabis licenses issued in the US is over 8,000, covering growers, processors, and retailers

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The number of registered medical cannabis patients in Germany reached over 120,000 in 2022

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The legal cannabis industry is projected to generate over $50 billion in economic output in the US by 2025

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The number of cannabis dispensaries in California exceeds 1,300 as of 2023

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The global industrial hemp market was valued at $4.6 billion in 2022 and expected to grow

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Cannabis advertising revenue in the US was estimated at over $4 billion in 2022

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The cannabis industry generated approximately $8 billion in tax revenue in the US in 2022

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The medical cannabis market in Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 17% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 44

Cannabis wealth and investment funds have grown rapidly, with assets under management exceeding $1 billion in 2023

Statistic 45

The global edible cannabis product market was valued at $4.3 billion in 2022, expected to grow significantly

Statistic 46

In 2022, the global cannabis concentrate market was valued at $3.2 billion, showing strong growth potential

Statistic 47

The cannabis vaporizer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $5 billion globally

Statistic 48

The medical cannabis market in Latin America is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2023 to 2030, fueled by legalization efforts

Statistic 49

The legal cannabis industry’s total investment volume exceeded $4 billion globally in 2022, with the US leading the investments

Statistic 50

Overall, cannabis cultivation facilities worldwide produced over 4.5 million pounds of cannabis in 2022

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The CBD market in Europe was valued at about $2.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 24.4%

Statistic 52

The global medical cannabis market is expected to reach $61.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18.1%

Statistic 53

The number of cannabis dispensaries in the US increased by over 1,000 from 2020 to 2023, reflecting rapid industry expansion

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The rate of cannabis-related arrests in the US decreased by approximately 61% from 2010 to 2022

Statistic 55

The US enforces approximately 560,000 cannabis-related arrests annually, although this number has declined significantly since 2010

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Key Highlights

The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21.3 billion in 2022
North America accounted for over 89% of the global cannabis market in 2022
The legal cannabis industry in the US generated $27.6 billion in 2022, increasing from $17.5 billion in 2020
The number of legal cannabis consumers in the US reached approximately 43 million in 2023
Medical cannabis is legal in 38 US states as of 2023
Adult-use recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus DC
The US cannabis market created approximately 428,059 new jobs in 2022
The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US dropped by approximately 20% between 2021 and 2023
Legal cannabis sales in Canada surpassed $3 billion CAD in 2022
Canada’s legal cannabis market saw a 33% increase in sales from 2021 to 2022
The global CBD market alone was valued at $9.1 billion in 2022, expected to grow rapidly
In 2022, roughly 43% of Americans aged 18+ reported having tried cannabis at least once
The majority of cannabis consumers in the US are between 18-34 years old, constituting about 50% of users

The booming cannabis industry is transforming economies worldwide, with the US leading a $21.3 billion global market in 2022 and generating over 428,000 new jobs, as legalization and innovation propel consumption, investment, and acceptance to unprecedented heights.

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns

The number of legal cannabis consumers in the US reached approximately 43 million in 2023
In 2022, roughly 43% of Americans aged 18+ reported having tried cannabis at least once
The majority of cannabis consumers in the US are between 18-34 years old, constituting about 50% of users
In California, nearly 50% of adults have tried cannabis at least once
The percentage of active cannabis users in Colorado increased from 15% in 2014 to over 20% in 2022
The median age of legal cannabis consumers in the US is around 39 years old
The majority of legal cannabis sales in the US are for adult personal use, accounting for approximately 70%
In the US, approximately 81% of cannabis consumers prefer flower over edibles and concentrates
The number of medical cannabis patients in Israel exceeded 150,000 in 2022, making it one of the leading countries in medical cannabis use
Approximately 20% of US cannabis consumers use cannabis daily, emphasizing the shift towards more habitual use
Around 55% of US cannabis consumers prefer purchasing from licensed dispensaries rather than illegal sources, reflecting increasing legitimacy
Approximately 75% of U.S. adults support legalizing marijuana, according to recent polls, indicating strong public support

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns Interpretation

With nearly half of California adults having tried cannabis and 43 million Americans now enjoying legal and habitual use, the plant's transition from counterculture to mainstream is as undeniable as the fact that over 75% of Americans support legalization—proving that while age may be a number, acceptance is already a fact.

Geography and Legal Status

North America accounted for over 89% of the global cannabis market in 2022
Medical cannabis is legal in 38 US states as of 2023
Adult-use recreational cannabis is legal in 21 US states plus DC
The top three states for cannabis sales in the US are California, Colorado, and Washington, collectively accounting for over 50% of total sales

Geography and Legal Status Interpretation

With North America commanding over 89% of the global cannabis market and key states like California, Colorado, and Washington generating half of US sales, the industry’s sprawling growth underscores a shift from illicit roots to a regulated economy, where legality and market size go hand in hand.

Market Trends and Product Insights

The average retail price of legal cannabis in the US dropped by approximately 20% between 2021 and 2023
Canada’s legal cannabis market saw a 33% increase in sales from 2021 to 2022
THC content in legal cannabis in some states can range up to 35%, significantly higher than in illegal markets
The number of cannabis-related academic research papers increased by over 150% between 2018 and 2022
The percentage of Americans supporting marijuana legalization increased to 68% in 2023
The majority of cannabis sales in Colorado are through dispensaries, with less than 10% through delivery services
The average THC potency in legal cannabis products reached around 20% in 2023, up from 12% in 2018
The number of cannabis startups worldwide increased by over 170% between 2019 and 2022
The average shelf time of legal cannabis products in dispensaries is approximately 6 months, after which products are disposed of or repackaged
The percentage of cannabis consumers who prefer organic products is around 60%, indicating growing consumer demand for organic cannabis
The average price per gram of legal cannabis in the US was around $10 in 2023, down from approximately $12 in 2021
The number of cannabis-related patents filed globally has increased by over 200% between 2018 and 2023, indicating innovation in the industry
The average THC content in legal flower strains in the US increased from 14% in 2018 to 20% in 2023, showing a trend toward higher potency products

Market Trends and Product Insights Interpretation

As the legal cannabis industry matures, skyrocketing research, soaring sales, higher-potency products, and a 200% surge in patents reveal a vibrant sector that is not only normalizing marijuana use—now supported by 68% of Americans—but also innovating at a pace that would make even the most seasoned growers glance twice.

Market Valuation and Industry Size

The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21.3 billion in 2022
The legal cannabis industry in the US generated $27.6 billion in 2022, increasing from $17.5 billion in 2020
The US cannabis market created approximately 428,059 new jobs in 2022
Legal cannabis sales in Canada surpassed $3 billion CAD in 2022
The global CBD market alone was valued at $9.1 billion in 2022, expected to grow rapidly
The global medical cannabis market is projected to reach $61.4 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 18.1%
As of 2023, the number of cannabis licenses issued in the US is over 8,000, covering growers, processors, and retailers
The number of registered medical cannabis patients in Germany reached over 120,000 in 2022
The legal cannabis industry is projected to generate over $50 billion in economic output in the US by 2025
The number of cannabis dispensaries in California exceeds 1,300 as of 2023
The global industrial hemp market was valued at $4.6 billion in 2022 and expected to grow
Cannabis advertising revenue in the US was estimated at over $4 billion in 2022
The cannabis industry generated approximately $8 billion in tax revenue in the US in 2022
The medical cannabis market in Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 17% from 2023 to 2030
Cannabis wealth and investment funds have grown rapidly, with assets under management exceeding $1 billion in 2023
The global edible cannabis product market was valued at $4.3 billion in 2022, expected to grow significantly
In 2022, the global cannabis concentrate market was valued at $3.2 billion, showing strong growth potential
The cannabis vaporizer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $5 billion globally
The medical cannabis market in Latin America is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2023 to 2030, fueled by legalization efforts
The legal cannabis industry’s total investment volume exceeded $4 billion globally in 2022, with the US leading the investments
Overall, cannabis cultivation facilities worldwide produced over 4.5 million pounds of cannabis in 2022
The CBD market in Europe was valued at about $2.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 24.4%
The global medical cannabis market is expected to reach $61.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18.1%
The number of cannabis dispensaries in the US increased by over 1,000 from 2020 to 2023, reflecting rapid industry expansion

Market Valuation and Industry Size Interpretation

As the global cannabis industry balloons into a multibillion-dollar economy fueling job creation, innovation, and tax revenue, it’s clear that whether for wellness, recreation, or investment, the plant’s mainstream march is unstoppable—and perhaps, just perhaps, a sign that Uncle Sam and health officials are finally catching up with the 21st century.

Regulatory Environment and Law Enforcement

The rate of cannabis-related arrests in the US decreased by approximately 61% from 2010 to 2022
The US enforces approximately 560,000 cannabis-related arrests annually, although this number has declined significantly since 2010

Regulatory Environment and Law Enforcement Interpretation

While the US's 61% drop in cannabis-related arrests since 2010 suggests a shift toward more lenient policies, the still-high tally of 560,000 yearly arrests reminds us that legal reform is a work in progress, not a done deal.