In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 European cities with the highest weed consumption. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global cannabis industry, the legalization of cannabis in Germany, and the offshore business activities of some US-based cannabis companies, head to 20 European Cities with Highest Weed Consumption.
5. Zurich
Daily Consumption of THC: 132.53 mg/1000p/day
In Zurich — Switzerland’s most populous city with over 400,000 residents — an estimated 13,000 regularly indulge in ganja. As part of a pilot project named ‘Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility’, up to 3,000 residents of the city are now able to purchase cannabis products from nine different pharmacies and six social clubs, considering they agree to answer a questionnaire every six months on their consumption habits and health.. However, it is still not permitted to smoke outside in public.
4. Almada
Daily Consumption of THC: 134 mg/1000p/day
The Portuguese city of Almada is ranked among the Top 5 Weed Consuming Cities in Europe, and there has also been a ‘significant increase’ in the use of cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy recently. Although small in area, Almada has a high population density and offers stunning views of the neighboring Lisbon’s skyline and a vibrant cultural scene.
In 2001, Portugal took an unprecedented step and became the first country to decriminalize all illegal drugs, including ganja. Medical use of marijuana was also legalized in the country in 2018, and there are currently 42 companies with licenses to operate in activities related to medicinal cannabis in Portugal, a growth of 23.5% from 2022.
3. Barcelona
Daily Consumption of THC: 151.1 mg/1000p/day
Catalonia is home to some of the world’s oldest cannabis consumption spaces, with the first club opening in Barcelona in 2001. The magnificent Spanish city is now home to over 200 of these social clubs and has even been a role model for subsequent legalization projects in Malta and Switzerland.
However, there has been a clampdown on these clubs recently after Catalonia’s Superior Court of Justice annulled the municipal ordinance and directly banned ‘promoting consumption, sale, and cultivation’ in these spaces in July 2021. It was emphasized that cannabis is a narcotic and the only body that could regulate it is the central government. So from that point on, around 20 cannabis clubs and dozens of plantations have been closed to date.
The party still never really stops in Barcelona though, putting it among the Most Drug-Consuming Cities in the World.
2. Amsterdam
Daily Consumption of THC: 169.39 mg/1000p/day
Amsterdam has long been notorious as the ‘Weed Capital of Europe’ and the Dutch city has dominated cannabis tourism for 40 years, but now it’s stepping back from this multibillion-dollar industry. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced last year that marijuana tourism is a blight on the city, fostering crime and public disorder, and proposed banning foreigners from its cannabis cafés.
The Dutch rank among the top weed smokers in Europe.
1. Geneva
Daily Consumption of THC: 180.81 mg/1000p/day
Geneva has the honor of being the Stoner Capital of Europe and the city’s low regulation and high purchasing power offer ideal conditions for buying or consuming drugs. Geneva also hosts a large student community (around 25% of the total population), which adds to the high amount of cannabis use.
Decades after pioneering prescription heroin and safe injection sites, Switzerland is now experimenting with decriminalizing recreational cannabis. It’s being done in a very Swiss way – taking things slow and steady to see how the population responds.
The federal government has now authorized trials to take place over the coming decade to experiment with decriminalizing recreational cannabis, taking small steps like it did for four years before introducing prescribed heroin in the 1990s.
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