Marijuana, also known as cannabis, weed, pot, or grass, is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. According to the United Nations, more than 190 million people consumed marijuana in 2019, making it the most popular drug after alcohol and tobacco.
However, the legal status of marijuana varies widely across different countries and regions, ranging from full prohibition to full legalization. In the United States, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, but many states have legalized it for medical or recreational purposes, creating a complex and dynamic cannabis market.
Marijuana Consumption in the U.S.
According to a report by the American Addiction Centers, the U.S. ranks second in the world in terms of marijuana consumption per capita, behind only Iceland. The report estimates that the average American consumes about 4.2 grams of marijuana per year, which is equivalent to about 8.4 joints. However, the consumption patterns vary significantly across different states and cities, depending on the legal status, availability, price, and culture of marijuana.
The report also ranks the top 15 U.S. cities with the highest marijuana consumption in 2023, based on data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The ranking is calculated by multiplying the percentage of people who reported using marijuana in the past year by the population of each city. The report also provides the potential annual revenue that each city could generate by taxing marijuana at the average U.S. marijuana tax rates or at the same rate as cigarettes.
The Top Marijuana-Consuming City in the U.S.
The report reveals that the top marijuana-consuming city in the U.S. is Atlanta, Georgia, with an estimated consumption of 36.54 metric tons per year. This means that the average Atlantan consumes about 11.2 grams of marijuana per year, which is equivalent to about 22.4 joints. Atlanta is followed by Washington D.C., with 34.41 metric tons, and Boston, Massachusetts, with 33.27 metric tons.
Atlanta is one of the few cities in the U.S. where marijuana is only partially legal, meaning that it is decriminalized for personal use but not legalized for medical or recreational purposes. According to ABCD, a cannabis price index provider, the average price of a gram of marijuana in Atlanta is $10.76, which is slightly lower than the national average of $10.94.
However, the report suggests that Atlanta could generate $72.5 million annual revenue by taxing marijuana at the average U.S. marijuana tax rates or $164.64 million by taxing it at the same rate as cigarettes.
Conclusion
Marijuana consumption is a widespread phenomenon in the U.S., with significant variations across different regions. Atlanta, Georgia, emerges as the top marijuana-consuming city in the U.S., despite its partial legal status. The report highlights the potential economic benefits of legalizing and taxing marijuana, as well as the need for more research and education on the effects and risks of marijuana use.