Portugal: 84% use cannabis to relieve stress and relax, 40% for anxiety and depression

The overwhelming majority of a sample of 3188 people who use cannabis say they use it to reduce stress and relax (84%), while 60% say they do it for fun or to improve sleep quality (52%). About 40% say cannabis helps treat anxiety or depression, and over 75% of survey respondents strongly agree that cannabis use should be legal.

The data were published following a inquiry do European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction in about 30 European countries, including Portugal, through the SICAD - Intervention Service in Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies.

The survey took place online between March and May 2021, was aimed at people over 18 years of age and had as main objective to deepen knowledge about the patterns of use of illicit substances, aiming at a better adequacy of public policies. 3188 people responded to the questionnaire.

Health and well-being benefits are the main reasons for consumption

In addition to the most frequent uses mentioned above, respondents said they also use cannabis to socialize (36%), to improve school, academic or professional performance (21%), to reduce pain or inflammation (15%) or just to experiment (3 %).

The study also reveals that three quarters of respondents strongly agree with the legalization of cannabis use, with 25% strongly agreeing.

According to the survey, 3019 used illegal cannabis (95%) and 614 used “legal cannabis” (19%), which the study defines as “CBD and/or low-THC products sold in stores). Only 2 respondents used cannabis prescribed by a doctor, which is equivalent to 0,1% of the respondents.

Usually, 95% make joints to consume herbal cannabis, with 2,5% using a vaporizer, 1,2% using a hookah, 0,7% using a dry pipe, 0,6% using cannabis in food.

Of those surveyed, 88% said they used herbal (or herb) cannabis, 64% resin (or hashish), 15% ingested edibles and 9% cannabis oil or extract.

See the full survey results here:

https://www.sicad.pt/BK/Documents/Can%C3%A1bis%20em%20Portugal%20Inqu%C3%A9rito%20Online%20Europeu%20sobre%20Drogas%202021.pdf