Is Iceland the wave or puff of the future?
As the US debates rescheduling cannabis and officially recognizing its medical benefits, the public already has moved on from the conversation. Canada is fully legal and over 50% of the US has access to legal weed, along with pockets of Europe. But the interesting thing is things only get better with legalization. Teen use is down, medical use is up and lots of people of all ages are reaping benefits. While cannabis is not perfect, it is definitely healthier than alcohol. Â The consuming public has noticed and more people are drifting away from booze and headed to weed. One of these is our chilly northern neighbors. Â Will Iceland be the new normal for cannabis?
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It is believed 6.6% of the population consumes cannabis regularly. The number is commonly believed to be 18.3% due to data confusion. It makes sense with the California sober movement of switching cannabis for alcohol. Â Gen Z is drinking less and gumming more, and Boomers are turning on to medical marijuana for health reasons. While it is still illegal, there is growing domestic production. While it isn’t a world country record for use, the liberal country seems to embrace marijuana over mojitos.
The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) suggests that people in Iceland drink less frequently than people in the other Nordic countries. Iceland has the seventh lowest proportion of people that drink at least once per week, just over 20%. Overall, 62% of U.S. adults say they ever drink alcohol, while 38% abstain completely, where with marijuana it is closer to 10-12%.  With trends, will the US move closer to Canada with almost parity in use. Even states like Texas where cannabis is illegal, still sell hemp, made from the same plant.
While buying and holding small amounts for personal use doesn’t incur any severe punishment beyond a small fine of $500. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is prohibited, yet not criminalized, under the Icelandic Addictive Drugs and Narcotics act. History is moving and it is good to observe trends in other parts of the world.
