Cannabis consumption and COVID-19. Statistics and facts

Cannabis consumption and COVID-19. Statistics and facts , by Tia M., Editor and Contributor at AskGrowers

For a minimum of 3,000 years, people have used cannabis to treat a wide range of health issues. Many states allow the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, and its use has surged recently during the COVID-19 pandemics.

Cannabis in the Society

For the most part of the history, cannabis sativa plant has been used to produce cloth, rope, and even paper. Initially, the cannabis plant had almost nothing in common with the drug we know today. The first American conference regarding its use took place in 1860 and they prized it for its sedative and pain-relieving effects.

Cannabis impacted the society in a myriad of ways. Apart from being a multi-billion-dollar industry, weed has also seen a fading of the traditional stigma against it. For instance, one study showed that a third of the surveyed non-consumers would use marijuana for its health benefits if they didn’t have to feel the effects. More than 50% of people who reject marijuana stated that they would want their loved ones to smoke marijuana if they were ill for its pain-relieving properties.

In short, cannabis use is happening now more than ever. With more research backing up its health benefits, and numerous consumers freely accepting it for its effects, cannabis consumption is booming.

Impact on Health

Marijuana is mostly used for its well-known effects that relax the body and mind. It is used for a wide range of medical conditions. One of the most widespread one is chronic pain which affects more than 25 million adults only in the United States.

Some mental health conditions, particularly anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are also alleviated by marijuana. However, it is not recommended for other mental illnesses, such as psychosis, for instance.

In general, marijuana comes with a mild euphoria and better mood, increasing the well-being. There is also an alteration in the perception of time. Some common side effects include short-term memory loss and impairments in body movements. Mild paranoia, dizziness, and dry mouth and eyes are also possible when smoking marijuana.

Cannabis Consumption in the World During COVID-19

COVID-19 put people all around the world in a lengthy isolation and demanded social distancing. These measures disrupted the lifestyle of billions of people all around the globe. A report by United Nations highlights that the coronavirus pandemic lead to a surge in the demand for cannabis at a global level, especially on the dark web.

In other words, people turned to cannabis in order to alleviate stress. As individuals lost their jobs, or had to remain isolated and away from their loved ones for a long time, marijuana proved itself as a viable solution for numerous people around the globe. Some choose weed for its relaxation effects, switching off from the constant coronavirus news on TV and simply enjoying their time at home.

There are also reports showing that many consumers switched to edibles. Some people are not keen on smoking altogether – others did so in order to protect themselves from damaging their lungs as a result of combustion. Low-grade edibles were chosen as a basic common sense that people should avoid smoking. This also allowed them to consume marijuana at home while being very discrete.

Stats of the Cannabis Sale Volumes

In the United States, the increase in recreational use of cannabis has reached new peaks. April 2020 registered $106 million sales only in Washington state, showing that people favored the use of weed during financial and emotional distress caused by the pandemic. In California, the sales of marijuana increased by 159% compared to 2019, followed by a 46% increase in Colorado.

There is strong evidence that consumers across North America and Europe maintain elevated levels of purchases regarding cannabis. A new trend was registered towards buying more edibles in favor of smoking cannabis. One explanation would be that, since the COVID-19 impacts the lungs, marijuana consumers prefer to avoid smoking in order to preserve the health of their lungs.

Furthermore, edibles allowed people with families consume THC-based products without affecting others. Being isolated at home for an extended period of time, they are around their loved ones and children. Thus, sales skyrocketed, proving that marijuana remains recession-proof.

All in all, the coronavirus pandemic took down many industries. People were isolated at home, some of them losing their jobs. Regardless, cannabis proved itself as being recession-proof. One main reason is that many people used it to relieve their stress regarding financial insecurity. Many US states, particularly California and Washington, registered an unprecedented surge in cannabis sale volumes.

Around the globe, more and more people found themselves using weed in order to cope with the anxiety and stress caused by COVID-19. A new trend was also observed regarding THC edibles. Perceived as more discrete, these products were preferred over the typical joints as they avoid the risks posed by combustion.