30+ Cannabis Industry Statistics: Growth & Trends in 2025

Cannabis has a wide range of uses, from medical applications to recreational enjoyment, and it's growing faster than ever. Understanding the statistics behind its expansion, job opportunities, and market trends can give you a competitive edge.

Hence, this blog offers valuable insights into the cannabis industry, including industry salaries, market growth, and more.

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or simply exploring the industry, these cannabis industry statistics will give you a clear, data-driven understanding of where cannabis is headed and why it matters.

Let's explore.

Top Cannabis Industry Statistics 2025 (Top Findings)

Cannabis Industry Overview

This section provides a clear and concise summary of the cannabis industry, including its market size, growth rate, key trends, and future projections. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the cannabis industry, this overview will give you the essential facts about one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

Top Cannabis Industry Statistics 2025

In this section, we dive into 7 key categories of cannabis industry statistics, including global market trends, legalization progress, user demographics, and more. These stats will give you a data-driven understanding of where the industry stands today and its direction by 2025. Let's dive in:

1) Global cannabis industry statistics

The global cannabis industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing legalization and rising consumer demand. Here are the key global statistics for 2025:

• The cannabis products market is expected to grow to $63.75 billion by 2025. (Source)
• The cannabis cultivation market is set for rapid growth, expected to reach $407.91 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 18.2%. (Source)
• Globally, the United States is projected to lead in revenue, generating $45.35 billion in 2025. (Source)
• In August 2022, a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that 43% of young adults used marijuana in 2021, while 29% reported using it in the past month. (Source)
• The CBD market is expected to grow to $16 billion by 2025, driven by wellness products. (Source)
• Approximately 147 million people, or 2.5% of the global population, use cannabis annually, compared to 0.2% for both cocaine and opiates. (Source)
• The global demand for medical cannabis is increasing, with the United States leading in revenue growth and investment opportunities. (Source)
• Global sales of CBD, medical, and adult-use cannabis reached $45 billion and are expected to exceed $101 billion by 2026. (Source)
• The global cannabis plant cultivation market was valued at $392.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.3% from 2023 to 2030. (Source)
• In 2022, the hemp segment led the cannabis cultivation market, accounting for 78.7% of total revenue based on biomass. (Source)
• Key companies in the legal cannabis market include The Cronos Group, Tilray, Marley Natural, Aurora Cannabis, Cara Therapeutics, ARUMA LABS HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED, Medcan Australia, and Sundial Growers. (Source)

2) Cannabis legalization statistics

Cannabis legalization is transforming the global landscape, with more countries and states embracing its medical and recreational use. These insights will help you understand how legalization is shaping the industry and driving its rapid growth.

• Around 57% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, while 32% believe it should be legal for medical use only. (Source)
• Among adults 75 and older, 31% support marijuana legalization for both medical and recreational use, compared to 50% of those aged 65 to 74. (Source)
• Global spending on legal cannabis is projected to reach $50 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.7% from 2020, and is expected to hit $57 billion by 2030. (Source)

• As of now, 24 states, two territories, and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational cannabis, while medical cannabis is legal in 40 states, with more states expected to follow in 2025. (Source)
• According to London-based advisory group Prohibition Partners, the European legal cannabis market was valued at €354 million in 2022 and €516 million in 2023. (Source)
• 70% of people who have tried marijuana support its recreational legalization, while 26% of those who haven’t tried it are opposed to it. (Source)
• Commercial sales of recreational cannabis are legalized nationwide in three countries (Canada, Thailand, and Uruguay) and in all subnational U.S. jurisdictions that have legalized possession except Washington, D.C. (Source)
• Around 52% of adults believe that legalizing recreational marijuana benefits local economies, while 17% think it has a negative impact, and 29% see no effect. (Source)
• Over 54% of Americans reside in states where both recreational and medical marijuana are legal, while 74% live in states where marijuana is legal for either medical, recreational, or both purposes. (Source)
• Among conservative and moderate Democrats, 62% support marijuana legalization for both medical and recreational use, while an overwhelming 84% of liberal Democrats share this view. (Source)
• Analysts forecast that the North American cannabis market, including legal adult use and medical sales, will reach $46.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2020, driven by expanding legalization and market maturation. (Source)

• According to New Frontier Data and Global Cannabinoids, legal cannabis sales in currently legalized states are expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% over the next six years. (Source)

3) Cannabis industry growth statistics

Here are cannabis industry trends and growth statistics covering medical cannabis, recreational cannabis, and other related growth trends to keep

• The cannabis market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.33% (2025-2029), reaching $75.09 billion by 2029. (Source)
• The global medical cannabis market, valued at $13.12 billion in 2023, is projected to grow significantly, reaching $91.07 billion by 2032. (Source)
• Global revenue in the recreational cannabis market is expected to reach $38.32 billion by 2025. (Source)
• The U.S. cannabis market is projected to generate $45.35 billion in revenue by 2025. (Source)
• In 2022, the oil and tincture segment led the medical marijuana industry, capturing 53.1% of total revenue. (Source)
• The European cannabis market is expected to reach $6.58 billion in revenue by 2025. (Source)
• The medical marijuana market saw a 32% decline from 2019 to 2020 due to lockdowns, industry shutdowns, and restricted movement, which negatively impacted growth. (Source)
• According to the MJBiz Factbook, retail cannabis sales are expected to exceed $53.5 billion by 2027. (Source)
• By 2028, broader legalization of adult-use cannabis, especially in the U.S., is expected to double the user base to over 40 million, while CBD users may grow to 65 million. (Source)

4) Cannabis use disorder statistics

Here are cannabis use disorder (CUD) statistics, providing insights into its prevalence, demographics, and its impact:

• Approximately 22 million people worldwide suffer from cannabis use disorder, representing about 10% of regular cannabis users. (Source)
• Approximately 30% of cannabis users may experience Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), leading to problematic consumption habits. (Source)
• Using cannabis during adolescence is linked to a threefold increase in the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) compared to adult use. (Source)
• Marijuana is the most frequently detected illicit drug in drivers involved in fatal accidents, accounting for about 14% of cases, often in combination with alcohol or other substances. (Source)
• Cannabis can be addictive. Studies reveal that 9% of all cannabis users and 17% of those who start at a young age develop addiction. (Source)
• Studies show that 27% of individuals who visited an emergency department due to cannabis use developed a new anxiety disorder within three years. (Source)
• Cannabis is the third most widely used controlled substance globally, following alcohol and tobacco, which are the first and second most used. (Source)
• Regular marijuana use can impair cognitive function, potentially leading to a decrease in IQ by as much as 8 points. (Source)
• Use of cannabis in different countries: (Source)

• Girls (ages 14-15) who used marijuana daily were 5 times more likely to suffer from depression at age 21. (Source)
• Individuals who begin using marijuana before the age of 12 are twice as likely to develop a mental illness compared to those who start at age 18 or older. (Source)
• Cannabis use directly impacts the brain regions responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotion, and reaction time. (Source)

5) Cannabis consumption demographics statistics

Understanding who uses cannabis and how they consume it is key to grasping the industry’s growth and trends. In this section, we break down cannabis consumption by age, gender, region, and preferences, offering valuable insights into the evolving demographics of cannabis users.

• According to the CDC, nearly 40% of high school students have reported experimenting with marijuana. (Source)
• According to combined Gallup data from 2023 and 2024, 15% of Americans report using marijuana. (Source)
• Nearly 53% of marijuana users aged 18 or older, whether current or former, report first using it between the ages of 12 and 17. (Source)
• 17% of men report using marijuana, compared to 11% of women. (Source)

• Marijuana use is most common among younger adults (Source)
  → 19% of those aged 18-34
  → 18% of those aged 35-54
  → 10% of those aged 55 and older

• Among major ethnic groups, Black Americans have the highest cannabis usage rate at 10.7%, followed by White Americans at 8.4% and Hispanics at 7.2%. (Source)
• Among 12th graders, disapproval of regular marijuana use by adults remains relatively high, with 64.7% expressing their disapproval. (Source)
• Marijuana use is more prevalent among adults without a college degree (17%) compared to college graduates (11%). (Source)
• Regionally, the highest rates of marijuana usage are in the West (19%), Midwest (16%), and East (16%). It is lower in the South, where 11% report using it.

6) Medical cannabis market statistics

The medical cannabis market is rapidly growing, driven by increasing recognition of its health benefits. These statistics highlight key trends and insights shaping its future in healthcare.

The global medical cannabis market was valued at $37.0 billion in 2024. (Source)

The global medical cannabis market is projected to reach $68.6 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2025 to 2033, according to IMARC Group. This growth is driven by increasing medical adoption and expanding legalization efforts worldwide.

Global revenue in the medical cannabis market is projected to reach $21.04 billion by 2025. (Source)

The US cannabis market is projected to lead globally in medical cannabis revenue, reaching $14.97 billion by 2025. On a per capita basis, revenue is expected to be $2,820

The oil and tincture segment dominated the medical cannabis market in 2022, accounting for 53.4% of total revenue. (Source)

Its dominance is driven by the growing demand for CBD-based products, known for their potential in managing inflammation and chronic pain.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a widely researched phytocannabinoid, making up approximately 40% of medicinal cannabis compounds. (Source)

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive and stands out for its potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

7) Cannabis industry employment statistics

The cannabis industry isn’t just growing—it’s creating jobs at an unprecedented pace. In this section, we’ll explore the latest employment trends, from job creation numbers and wage growth to diversity in the workforce and top career opportunities. Let’s explore:

• According to the 2024 Vangst Jobs Report, legal cannabis in the U.S. now supports 440,445 full-time equivalent jobs. (Source)
• The average hourly wage in the cannabis industry varies, with Marijuana Budtenders earning around $16.97 per hour and Brand Ambassadors making up to $25.00 per hour. (Source)
• The average annual salary for a cannabis dispensary manager ranges from $60,000 to $120,000. (Source)
• The average annual salary in the cannabis industry ranges from about $69,447 for a sales representative to $69,968 for a project manager. (Source)
• The average annual salary for a cannabis industry worker in the United States is $125,894. (Source)
• The average salaries for the top ten cities are listed below. (Source)

• Other job roles in the cannabis industry and their average wages: Source

• The average annual salary for a cannabis master grower ranges between $70,000 and $120,000. (Source)
• Experienced directors of cultivation can earn up to $140,000 or more annually in the cannabis industry. (Source)
• The average salary in the cannabis industry ranges from $69,447 per year for a sales representative to $69,968 per year for a project manager. (Source)

The bottom line

The cannabis industry continues to expand at an impressive rate, presenting numerous opportunities across various sectors. From employment growth to increasing market revenue, these cannabis industry growth statistics shed light on the potential and evolving landscape in the cannabis industry.

Understanding these trends is essential for anyone looking to invest, work, or innovate in this rapidly growing field. By staying informed, you can position yourself to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and contribute to shaping the future of the cannabis market.