Are younger or older Australians more likely to have used cannabis?
Cannabis use varies according to age. In general, young adults (particularly those aged 18-29 years) are more likely to have used cannabis recently.
13% of Australians aged 14-17 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 10% have used in the past 12 months; 6% have used in the past month; and 5% have used in the past week.
42% of Australians aged 18-24 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 26% have used in the past 12 months; 14% have used in the past month; and 10% have used in the past week.
49% of Australians aged 25-29 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 21% have used in the past 12 months; 11% have used in the past month; and 8% have used in the past week.
50% of Australians aged 30-39 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 14% have used in the past 12 months; 8% have used in the past month; and 5% have used in the past week.
52% of Australians aged 40-49 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 11% have used in the past 12 months; 6% have used in the past month; and 4% have used in the past week.
50% of Australians aged 50-59 years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 9% have used in the past 12 months; 6% have used in the past month; and 5% have used in the past week.
39% of Australians aged 60+ years have used cannabis in their lifetime; 6% have used in the past 12 months; 4% have used in the past month; and 3% have used in the past week.
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.