Study: Cannabis Use Common Among Medical Students Worldwide, With Rising Trends in Recent Years

OG Article By Anthony Martinelli in News, Studies

October 03 2025

Study Overview

• Published in Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry.

• Conducted by researchers from:

  • Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

  • Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

  • London School of Economics and Political Science

  • National Center for Innovation and Research in Mental Health

• Reviewed 109 studies from 1971–2025.

• Included 62,444 participants across 32 countries.

Key Findings

• Lifetime cannabis use: 29.2% of medical students.

• Past year: 20.5%.

• Past month: 9.2%.

• Past week: 5.1%.

Regional Variations

• Highest prevalence: Anglo-Saxon America (59.7%).

• Lowest prevalence: Asia (11.5%).

Trends Over Time

• 1970s: 38.4% lifetime use.

• 2000s: Dropped to 18.1%.

• 2020s: Rose to 30.4%.

• Increase driven by Latin America, Asia, Africa.

Conclusion

• Cannabis use fluctuates but remains common.

• Recent rise noted globally.