Cannabis usage increase due to Covid and legalizing it

There is an increase in use of cannabis after the COVID- 19 lockdowns and legalizing it according to the UN reports.

Highlights

• According to the UN report released on Monday, shows an increase in usage of cannabis. 
• In various states of America and countries that have legalized the usage, the number of regular uses have increased.
• The COVID lockdowns also have an impact in the increase of usage.
• The increase in usage also in turn increases the risk of suicides and depression.

According to the latest report released by the UN, the daily use of cannabis has increased very much. It shows the usage of cannabis is increased in various states of America and countries where it is legally fine to use. It is a widely used drug all across the world. The cannabis market is getting stronger and stronger because of its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. 

The increased usage has increased the risk of depression and suicide in these countries. 

Cannabis in US states was legalized for non- medical use in Washington and Colorado in 2012. Uruguay also legalized it in 2013. Canada also legalized it in 2018. There are many other countries in which it is legal. But these states have the highest usage number. The UNODC, based in Vienna, said that cannabis legalization appears to have accelerate the trends going up in reported daily use of drugs. 

Cannabis- the Report

The prevalence of cannabis usage is not much among teenagers. But there has been a profound increase in the frequent use of high-potency products among young adults. The proportion of people who use the drug with psychiatric disorders and suicides has increased massively.

The report says that roughly 284 million people or 5.6% of the population of earth used a drug such as heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy or cocaine in 2020. 2020 is the most recent data available. 209 million of these people used cannabis. 

It is said that the period of lockdown played a major role in the increase usage of cannabis. Cocaine production also hit a record in 2020 and trafficking through sea is also growing. With 2021 seizure data suggesting an expansion outside the two major markets of Europe and North America into Asia and Africa. Opioids, the deadliest drug with fentanyl is driving the overdose death in the US to a new record. The estimated number for opioid overdose for 2021 is 107,622. 

These reports about increase use of cannabis and other drugs are leading to a greater risk of suicide and depression.