Cannabis remains the most widely used illegal drug in Europe. This is evident from the European Drug Report 2026 by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). At the same time, the organization warns that the European cannabis market is undergoing radical changes. Products are becoming stronger, the supply more diverse, and the way cannabis enters Europe is also in full flux.
Almost 25 million Europeans use cannabis
According to the report, an estimated 24,9 million adults in Europe used cannabis last year. This makes cannabis by far the most used illegal drug on the continent. Seizures also remain at a high level: in 2024, cannabis was involved in approximately 68 percent of all registered drug seizures in Europe.
It is striking, however, that the amount of intercepted cannabis resin decreased sharply. In the European Union, 321 tons of hash seized, a decrease of 42 percent compared to a year earlier. According to the EUDA, this is likely linked to changing smuggling routes and targeted police actions, particularly in Spain.
Stronger products and new forms of consumption
In addition to the size of the market, researchers are concerned about the increasing potency of cannabis products. Cannabis extracts, concentrates, and edibles, in particular, are gaining popularity. At the same time, semi-synthetic cannabinoids and other new cannabis products are appearing on the European market with increasing frequency, meaning users do not always know which substances they are actually consuming.
According to the EUDA, this development calls for better information and stricter monitoring of new products.
New smuggling routes
International trade is also changing. While cannabis entered Europe primarily from North Africa for years, researchers are noticing a growing supply from North America. Overproduction in countries where cannabis is legally cultivated is believed to be causing a portion of that production to find its way to the European illegal market. Additionally, criminals are increasingly using smaller ports, fast boats, and drones to circumvent controls.
Ready to see how Snowflake works?
The European Drug Report 2026 shows that cannabis remains firmly entrenched in the European drug market. At the same time, the sector is changing rapidly due to more potent products, new forms of consumption, and shifting smuggling routes. According to the EUDA, it is therefore important that policy, enforcement, and education adapt to these developments.
Source: euda.europa.eu
