Do levels of cannabis in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
The amount of cannabis found in Australian wastewater varies substantially between Australian jurisdictions†.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reported that specific sites in parts of regional New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia had the highest levels of cannabis use. In general cannabis use was higher in regional areas than in capital cities.
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2022). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 17. Canberra: ACIC.
† This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Cannabis consumption was measured by its urinary metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH).