To ask how common is cannabis smoking?

Cannabis stays in your system for up to 72 hours. Those driving the day after, take note!

I don't know anybody in my family or circle of friends who smoke cannabis or even smoke cigarettes for that matter. The only people I know are my DD17 friends parents.

Pretty common in my social circle. All professionals, with kids and keeping all the balls in the air. I'd say my social circle probably drink less than the average person.
I've used it practically daily since I was about 15, it's how I relax (I vape it), same with DH.

I live in Bristol and the whole city is under a permanent fug of weed. It's as common as oxygen here. And no, it isn't all due to the students. It's all age groups and demographics.

Young people who get caught up in the distribution of these drugs, often get pulled in deeper.

Approximately 7/8% of adults - though I think that’s under reporting and higher figures are available depending on the data source

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/drugmisuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2024#:~:text=Download%20this%20chart,-Image%20.csv%20.xls&text=Around%20one%2Dthird%20of%20people,2%20of%20the%20accompanying%20dataset.

It's everywhere, kids smoke it in the bus station. Pathetic. Gen Alpha will be even more useless than Gen Z.

It's weed, not crack 😂

I smell it almost constantly round my way. Even got a strong whiff of it in B&M the other day.

I don't like it. To me it smells like someone's taken some pond weeds, rolled it all up and lit it. I find the smell of tobacco much nicer, until it goes stale, in which case also blegh.

Nobody HAS to do anything, it's a choice, and one I find a lot less damaging on health than alcohol. I like both, but prefer weed.

I think there is a lot of confusion here. I don’t know anyone in the UK who isn’t on prescription now, tbh (but I admit I don’t know many people and a lot of the ones I do know are chronically ill like I am); almost everyone seems to have at least one condition that qualifies, and buying it directly from medical cannabis companies based in Spain, the Netherlands, etc, is actually cheaper than buying it illegally.

“Prescription” has become this huge UK loophole on the way to legalization, I feel. There are other countries/localities that will only allow it in a single form (spray or oil, nothing that can be smoked), and for people with cancer or life limiting illnesses. The UK allows flower (for vaping), oil, and edibles for more than 50 conditions.

If you are on this thread and have been buying illegally, please check to make sure you don’t qualify for medical cannabis. Here is a list of the conditions, everything from migraines to back pain to PMS. AND it is much better for you; you will actually be guided by a professional to determine what is right for you (strength, strain, desired effects, etc).

The link is from Alternaleaf but I use a cheaper alternative.
www.alternaleaf.co.uk/post/qualifying-for-medical-cannabis-prescription

It's calming, relaxing, reduces anxiety, reduces stress, makes the world a bit easier to tolerate, take your pick.

Nobody in my social circle since I was a student, and even then not people I'd associate with much.
It depends obviously but I think it’s less common than smokers like to think.

Where are you all buying your weed?? You do realise you are contributing to a whole underworld of misery. Co-exertion, slavery, abuse, the funding of hard drugs and all the misery that causes. The funding of weapons and gang violence.

On the note of gummies being less of an issue..... perhaps, but please know that although the "high" takes longer and is less intense, it stays in your system longer, don't drive for at least 12 hours.

gummies and other concoctions are common in my larger circle of friends but not smoking it.

Just because it stays in your system for a long time compared to other substances doesn’t mean it continuously impairs your ability to drive/function. The psychoactive effects last a couple of hours or so.

the body is not concerned with flushing it through quickly as it does with other drugs including alcohol, because it’s not especially toxic for the body.

do people who get it on prescription for health conditions have to surrender their licenses? If not why is that do you think?

Most regular cannabis smokers would be over the UK's drug drive limits most of the time. I can never understand people who rely on their driving license for their livelihood, risking being over the driving limits for drugs or alcohol. But they do and some get caught and then they are sorry.

It's extremely common, not sure how widespread it is though

I buy it from someone who grows it fairly large ish scale as a (very successful) business. No youths on scooters shotting being controlled by county lines involved - just straight from manufacturer to consumer.

It's shocking. Those taking it for medical reasons or somewhere where it's legal (and getting hold of it legally), then it's personal choice but those risking their own and others' lives buying street drugs, is pretty harrowing.

I’m in my 60s and genuinely can’t think of a single person I know who smokes (weed or tobacco), though of course some may do so without my being aware of it.

Lots of friends experimented in their youth though.

If not coincidence then VERY unlucky/rare.

it makes the senses come alive, food tastes better, music sounds better. I find I have my most insightful and compassionate reflections on life/relationships etc.
it makes me appreciate the small things in life we often don’t notice and find an increased sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of nature/art.

it also makes me want to reach out and connect with others, like I’ll want to message my friends instead of just watching the tv.

ADHD is an eligible condition for a legal prescription.

I think it’s going to depend on your social circle. Neither DH or I smoke (I tried it once at uni, he never has) and I don’t know anyone in my social circle who does either. We generally talk about these things, so I can’t imagine they are all lying. I must admit, I’m yet to meet a regular marijuana smoker (and I know plenty as acquaintances or through work) who I’ve admired or wished I was more like, even those who are working and have kids. Most of my social circle aren’t drinkers either, so I don’t think any of us are particularly inclined to self medication or addiction.