Cannabis, or marijuana, is a botanical specimen that harbors psychoactive constituents capable of inducing subjective, kinesthetic, and cognitive changes in its consumer. The District of Columbia, 18 states, and 36 states (including four territories) have legalized medical marijuana, in addition to recreational marijuana. However, depending on the substance’s availability, accessibility, affordability, and social acceptability, the rate of marijuana consumption varies considerably across the nation.

The Cannabis Industry in Oregon

Oregon is among the states that have legalized the use of marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. Oregon became the fourth state to grant recreational marijuana legalization in 2014. It was the initial state to decriminalize small quantities of marijuana in 1973.

Additionally, Oregon is home to a thriving cannabis sector, comprising more than 2,000 authorized establishments including manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, and laboratories. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission reports that the cumulative sales of marijuana products in Oregon escalated by 38% from 2019 to reach $1.1 billion in 2020.

Rate of Marijuana Use in Oregon

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) finds that Oregon exhibits a marijuana use rate that is among the highest nationwide. The NSDUH is an annual survey that gathers information regarding the mental health of the 12+-year-old U.S. population and their use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit substances. According to the NSDUH data for 2019-2020,

• In the previous year, marijuana was used by 27.82% of Oregonians aged 12 and older, the second highest rate in the United States, behind the District of Columbia (30.81%).
• In the previous month, marijuana was used by 19.26% of Oregonians aged 12 and older, the second highest rate in the United States, after 21.17% in the District of Columbia.
• The greatest rate in the United States, 9.04% of Oregonians aged 12 and older had a marijuana use disorder in the previous year. A marijuana use disorder is characterized by the presence of withdrawal symptoms, cravings, tolerance, or impaired functioning that are indicative of marijuana abuse or dependence.

The municipality with the highest rate of marijuana use in the United States

Although the NSDUH offers data on marijuana use at the state level, it does not provide information at the city level. There are, nevertheless, additional resources that can be utilized to approximate the rate of marijuana consumption in various U.S. cities. The Cannabis Price Index, a study conducted by Seedo, a provider of home marijuana cultivation equipment, is one such source. The Cannabis Price Index ranks one hundred twenty-one cities globally according to marijuana consumption, price, and legality.

Portland, Oregon, has the highest incidence of marijuana consumption in the United States, per the Cannabis Price Index. Based on the 2020 population of 575,930, the study estimates that Portland consumes 20.6 metric tons of marijuana annually, which equates to 35.8 grams per individual per year. Additionally, Portland has the tenth most expensive marijuana market in the United States, with an average price of $10.35 per gram.

Conclusion

In the United States, marijuana is extensively utilized, particularly in states where it has been legalized for medical and recreational use. Oregon has some of the nation’s highest rates of marijuana use and marijuana use disorder, despite being one of the foremost states in terms of marijuana production, sales, and consumption.

One estimate places Portland, Oregon, as the city with the highest per capita marijuana consumption in the United States of America. Nonetheless, there are risks associated with marijuana use, including cognitive decline, memory impairment, impaired coordination, and mental health complications. Users must therefore be cognizant of the potential risks and benefits associated with the drug and employ it in a responsible and moderate manner.