Europe’s Cannabis Shift: Rising Use, and New Risks

European cannabis policy is undergoing a major shift. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has released a new report. It presents hard data on cannabis use in Europe. How strong is hashish now? Who smokes joints most often? And why are cannabis gummies becoming a problem? We answer.

EUDA is Europe’s foremost agency for researching drug markets. Officials gather data from hospitals, police, and laboratories. Their latest report leaves no doubt. Cannabis remains the number one illegal substance in Europe. However, the market is becoming increasingly complex.

Who uses cannabis most often in Europe?

Cannabis is the most popular illegal drug in Europe. EUDA reports make this abundantly clear. Last year, over 22 million European adults tried cannabis. That’s a staggering number. It demonstrates that cannabis is a permanent fixture in our society. Let’s take a look at who exactly uses it.

Young adults lead: The main consumer group is young people, aged 15 to 34. The report indicates that approximately 15% of this group have smoked cannabis in the last year. The data also reveals another interesting fact: men use cannabis significantly more often than women. This difference is visible in every European Union country.

Why are young people so keen on cannabis?

They seek relaxation after a hard day at school or work.
They use it recreationally at parties with friends.
They treat it as a quick way to relieve stress.

Most people use cannabis very infrequently. They might smoke a joint once a month or at special events. This occasional smoking rarely negatively impacts their daily lives. However, EUDA sees a new, worrying trend. The number of people who use cannabis daily is growing. According to the latest statistics, approximately 3.7 million Europeans smoke daily or almost daily.

The THC potency is increasing. Hash is twice as strong as cannabis.
We often hear that cannabis today is more potent than ever before. The EUDA report backs this up with concrete numbers. The black market offers plants with very high THC concentrations. THC is the main ingredient that produces the high.

Researchers examined cannabis seized by police across the European Union. The results are as follows:

Hashish (cannabis resin): The average THC concentration today is 24.6%. Over the past 10 years, this potency has increased by a staggering 66%.

Cannabis (regular cannabis): Average THC concentration is 12%. Potency has increased by 19% over the past decade.

The report’s conclusion is simple: Hashish in Europe is currently twice as potent as regular cannabis. Officials warn that such potent products can negatively impact users’ mental health.

The New Threat: HHC and Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids

The biggest concern for experts in recent months has been so-called semi-synthetic cannabinoids. What are they? These are chemical compounds created in laboratories (for example, HHC). Manufacturers create them to circumvent the law.

HHC is sold in various forms. The most common are e-cigarettes (vape pens) and sweets such as gummies. This causes serious problems:

Hungary (2024): Hospitals recorded 30 sudden poisonings after eating HHC jellies.
Czech Republic: In a short period of time, the poison control center received over 170 calls. These mainly concerned children and adolescents who had consumed HHC products.

The authorities have sprung into action. Police have already dismantled several large laboratories producing HHC. These operations took place in countries such as the Netherlands and Poland.

How and where do we use cannabis?

EUDA also examined European consumer habits. A large online survey was conducted in 2024. The results paint an interesting picture:

Over 90% of people surveyed use cannabis in their own home.
Almost 80% of them choose to smoke traditional joints.
Many people don’t combine cannabis with other stimulants. One-third of those surveyed say they only use cannabis.

Scientists are also examining European wastewater, searching for THC-COOH acid. This is a substance the human body excretes after smoking cannabis. Studies from dozens of cities clearly demonstrate that the highest levels of cannabis consumption occur in western and southern Europe. Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal remain the leaders.

The EUDA report proves that the cannabis market is growing rapidly. Legal changes are needed to protect public health and cut off the mafia’s financial resources. We will continue to monitor the European Union’s next steps.

EU countries are changing their laws. Who is leading the revolution?

For decades, European governments have harshly condemned cannabis. However, this plan has yielded little success. The EUDA report reveals the truth. The black market is growing every year, with criminal groups earning millions of euros.

Worse still, they profit from human health. Street cannabis is often of very poor quality. Reports warn that such products contain dangerous pesticides, mold, and even heavy metals.

Europe is finally recognizing this problem. Five European Union countries have decided to act together. They have formed a special group. It includes Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. They have realized that harsh penalties are destroying people’s lives. These countries are now looking for smart ways to legalize and control the market.

Malta and Luxembourg: The first brave ones in Europe

Malta and Luxembourg are small, but very brave countries. They took the first step into Europe. Their governments recognized that ordinary consumers are not criminals.

Malta: Became the first EU country to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for personal use. Adult citizens are allowed to carry up to 7 grams of the herb. They are also allowed to establish a small home grow operation. The limit is four plants per home.

Luxembourg: It quickly followed a similar path. Adult citizens there can also legally grow plants at home. Punishments for smoking in the street no longer include imprisonment, but merely a fine.

Germany: Breakthrough and modern cannabis clubs

The biggest revolution took place in our neighboring countries. The changes in Germany affected all of Europe. The government in Berlin allowed adults to possess cannabis. They could carry 25 grams, and they could keep up to 50 grams and three plants at home.

But that’s not all. Germany has introduced so-called Cannabis Social Clubs. This is a completely new concept. How does it work?

People gather in groups (up to 500 people)
They rent a space together and grow cannabis there.
They share the harvest among themselves.
The clubs are non-profit, and alcohol cannot be purchased there.
This gives ordinary people affordable access to pure cannabis. The mafia loses customers. Everyone benefits.

Netherlands: Repairing the old cafe system

The Netherlands has long been famous for its coffee shops. These establishments sell cannabis legally. However, this system had one major flaw: the shops sold it legally but bought it illegally from the mafia.

The Dutch government has decided to fix this. It’s currently testing a so-called “closed coffee chain” (known as Wietexperiment). What does it involve? Select coffee shops in the country must order exclusively from state-owned, legal crops. The government carefully monitors everything.Cannabis directly from these crops undergoes rigorous laboratory testing. Coffee shop customers are therefore 100% certain. They know their herb is safe, natural, and free from toxic chemicals.

Czech Republic: Time for new rules

The Czech government has been closely monitoring developments in Germany. Prague has chosen to copy its neighbors’ best ideas, but has added its own principles. The new Czech model rests on three main pillars.

Legal home growing: Adult Czech citizens (21 and older) have been given the green light to legally grow up to three cannabis plants at home.

Increased possession limits: You can now keep up to 100 grams of dried herb at home. You can now carry up to 25 grams on the street.

Youth Protection: New laws protect adults but are very harsh on offenders. Selling cannabis to minors or selling it on the street still carries harsh penalties. The government aims to crack down on the underground economy.

What does this mean for tourists from Poland?

This is the most important question for many Polish readers. The Czech Republic is a popular tourist destination, and the new law raises many questions. It’s important to remember one important thing: the changes in the Czech Republic are intended solely to benefit the local community. The government doesn’t want Prague to become a mecca for tourists seeking entertainment.

For Polish tourists the law remains strict:

There are no legal shops or clubs where tourists can buy cannabis.
Buying cannabis on the street from dealers in the center of Prague is illegal and dangerous (you can often come across scammers or highly contaminated goods).
The Czech model is a wise, cautious step forward. It prioritizes the freedom of citizens in their own homes while abandoning the complexities of public commerce.

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(Featured image by GRAV via Unsplash)

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