UK survey links daily cannabis use with older age and tobacco smoking

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cannabis health harms increase as use increases, but little is known about who is more likely to use frequently. In England and Wales in 2025, it was estimated that 470 000 adults used cannabis daily. We aimed to provide an estimate for Great Britain, and to examine associations between daily use and socio-demographic characteristics, mental health and nicotine use variables. DESIGN: Pooled data from repeat cross-sectional national online surveys (Action on Smoking and Health) fielded in February-March 2023 and 2024. SETTING: Great Britain. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥18 years (n = 25 537). MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported past-year and daily cannabis use prevalence. Correlates of daily use were assessed using stepwise quasi-Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of past-year cannabis consumption was 7.2% (n = 1882) and, of these, 24.2% (n = 432) reported daily cannabis use. Factors associated with increased risk of daily cannabis use included being older than 24 [25-35 years adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.21; 35-44 years aRR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.53-2.84; 45-54 years aRR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.46-2.83; 55 + years aRR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.23-2.53]; being unemployed (aRR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.12-1.61); currently smoking tobacco (aRR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.51-2.18) and using a combustible route of cannabis administration (aRR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.26-2.08). Gender, ethnicity, region, social grade, anxiety or depression were not associated with daily use. SUMMARY: In Great Britain, 1.2 million people are estimated to be using cannabis daily. Daily cannabis use is more common among people who are older, are less advantaged and smoke tobacco.