Do younger or older Australians use cannabis more often?
Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, frequency of use varied by age, with those aged 50 years or older more likely to use more frequently (weekly or daily).
Among Australians aged 14-17 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 16%* used every day, 25% used once per week or more, 7%* used about once per month, 35% used every few months, and 17%* used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 16% used every day, 19% used once per week or more, 16% used about once per month, 21% used every few months, and 29% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 15% used every day, 17% used once per week or more, 13% used about once per month, 21% used every few months, and 34% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 15% used every day, 22% used once per week or more, 11% used about once per month, 15% used every few months, and 37% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 21% used every day, 18% used once per week or more, 9% used about once per month, 13% used every few months, and 39% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 50-59 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 27% used every day, 25% used once per week or more, 8% used about once per month, 11% used every few months, and 29% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 60-69 years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 22% used every day, 31% used once per week or more, 13% used about once per month, 12% used every few months, and 21% used once or twice a year.
Among Australians aged 70+ years who used cannabis in the past 12 months 38% used every day, 19%* used once per week or more, 12%* used about once per month, 10%* used every few months, and 20%* used once or twice a year.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.