In our previous blog article titled New data on cannabis consumption in Spain, we asked ourselves, in light of this new statistical data, how these figures compared and contrasted with those collected in the rest of the neighboring European countries, especially those of the European Union (EU). Throughout this article, we will endeavor to provide a thorough answer to this question.

Spain nearly triples the European average in daily cannabis consumption

More than 24 million European adults have consumed cannabis in the past year, and 1% do so almost daily. In Spain, this figure rises to 2.5%, almost three times the European average, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA 2025). This was highlighted in the analysis presented by the organizers of the 5th International Scientific Congress on the Prevention, Treatment, and Control of Cannabis Use, held at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Seville from November 28 to 29, 2025.

These data are unequivocal when comparing the latest statistics and studies carried out by the EUDA (European Union Drugs Agency), which place our country at the top of the European ranking, with a percentage of 12.6% in cannabis consumption, as can be seen in the following chart.

Behind Spain are Italy and France, tied at 10.8%, in second and third place respectively, thus completing the medal podium. At the bottom of the ranking is Malta with just 0.9%; a country where, interestingly, cannabis consumption is fully legal. This fact should serve as a warning to critics and apocalyptic voices opposed to legalization.

The other European countries where cannabis consumption is legal are Germany, which ranks eighth with a percentage of 8.8%, and Luxembourg, which occupies nineteenth place with a percentage of 5.4%.

As we have pointed out, these data clearly show that the legalization of the consumption of our beloved plant has nothing to do with an uncontrolled increase in its use, one of the most frequently used arguments by the most reactionary sectors opposed to its legalization.

Further comparison with occasional consumers

However, the EUDA is not the only body that produces studies and statistics on cannabis consumption in Europe. Thus, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), in its latest 2024 analysis, concludes that more than 40% of Spain’s population has consumed cannabis at some point.

If we stop to think calmly about this figure, it is absolutely striking to see that the percentage in our country reaches as high as 43.7%.

That said, in this other statistic Spain moves into second place in the ranking, having been overtaken by France, which holds the top position with a percentage of 50.4%.

Alcohol and tobacco: the true kings of the scene

If we take a closer look at the first statistical chart published by the EUDA, we can see that it also compares the percentage of cannabis consumption in our country with other substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine.

You do not need to be a genius to realize that the consumption rates of “legal” drugs are light-years ahead of that of cannabis. Alcohol consumption in Spain stands at 75%, and tobacco use is around 30%; far removed from cannabis consumption at 12.6%.

Alcohol and tobacco, legal drugs with sufficient scientific and medical evidence showing that they are far more harmful than cannabis, are socially well regarded and accepted by many of those reactionary zealots (read: VOX and PP) who demonize cannabis and advocate maintaining prohibitionist policies, while at the same time celebrating by smoking Cuban cigars and downing a bottle of brandy until they are thoroughly drunk, because apparently that is what being a “real man” is all about. ☹

In short, nothing new under the sun: hypocrisy upon hypocrisy.