Approximately two-fifths (41%) of Australians have used cannabis in their lifetime, 12% have used cannabis in the past 12 months, 7% have used in the past month, and 5% have used in the past week.

Australian men are more likely than women to have used cannabis in their lifetime, the past 12 months, the past month and the past week.

Cannabis use varies according to age. In general, young adults (particularly those aged 18-29 years) are more likely to have used cannabis recently. 

Lifetime cannabis use has increased over time, from 33% in 2001 to 41% in 2022-23, seeing a significant increase from 37% in 2019.The proportion of recent (past 12 month) cannabis users decreased from 2001 (13%) to 2007 (9%), then increased, reaching 12% in 2022-23.

Australians who are employed and unemployed are similarly  likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months. Those not in the labour force are the least likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.

The proportion of employed Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months varies according to industry of employment. Cannabis use is highest in the hospitality (22%), administrative and support services (20%) and construction (19%) industries.

Among Australians aged 14 years and older who have ever used cannabis, the average age at which they first tried it was 19 years.

Among Australians aged 14 years or older who have ever used cannabis, the average age at which they first tried it has remained stable at 19 years between 2001 and 2022-23.

Among Australians aged 14-29 years who have ever used cannabis, the average age at which they first tried it has increased significantly over time: between 2001 and 2010 the average age of initiation was 16 years; however, it increased to 18 years in 2019 and has remained at 18 years in 2022-23.

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, the majority (86%) used herbal forms of cannabis (bud, head, leaf), followed by edibles (e.g. brownies) (9%).

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, both men (89%) and women (80%) predominantly used herbal forms of cannabis (bud, head, leaf), followed by edibles (e.g brownies). Men were more likely than women to use herbal forms of cannabis, while women were more likely than men to use edibles or medicinal cannabis products.

Among Australians who had used cannabis in the past 12 months, herbal forms were the most commonly used by all age groups. Younger Australians were more likely to use herbal forms of cannabis, while older Australians were more likely to use medicinal forms of cannabis.

Most Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months mainly smoked it as a joint (50%) or in a bong or pipe (35%).

Australian men and women who used cannabis in the past 12 months were both most likely to smoke it as a joint. Men were relatively more likely than women to smoke it from a bong or pipe or inhale it through a vape, while women were relatively more likely than men to eat it.

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, the most common main method of use in all age groups was smoking it as a joint, followed by using a bong or pipe. The exception to this was 14-17 year olds, where a higher proportion smoked cannabis from a bong or pipe than as a joint.

The majority (61%) of Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months usually obtained it from a friend.

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, the majority (90%) typically used it in a private home.

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, the largest proportion (32%) used once or twice a year. In 2022-23, approximately one in six (18%) used every day, which has significantly increased from 14% in 2019.

Among Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months, men were more likely than women to use frequently (every day or once a week). Women were more likely than men to use every few months, or once or twice per year.

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).

The majority of Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months used at least one other drug at the same time. Alcohol (74%) was the drug most often used with cannabis, followed by tobacco (41%).

The amount of cannabis found in Australian wastewater varies substantially between Australian jurisdictions^†.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reported that cannabis consumption in regional South Australia and the Northern Territory is consistently among the highest in the country, while Hobart has the highest consumption level of capital cities. In general cannabis use was higher in regional areas than in capital cities.

Estimated cannabis consumption for April 2024 in mass consumed per day (left axis)^

Estimated average cannabis consumption per jurisdiction, August 2023 to June 2024 in mg consumed per day per thousand people^

^ The number of collection days varied from 5-7 days

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2024). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 23. Canberra: ACIC.