ABCD, a German data-driven media campaign outlet, published new research that reveals the number of cannabis head and growshops in various cities around the world. The study also compares the average price per gram of cannabis in 120 cities, as well as reveals the locations that are ready to embrace pot legalization.
The 2018 Cannabis Price Index also reveals which cities are the top cannabis consumers in the world.
According to the study, New York has the highest consumption rate at 77.44 metric tons. Karachi, Pakistan places second with a total consumption of 41.95 metric tons, and New Delhi, India is third with 38.26 metric tons.
When it comes to the cities with the lowest cannabis consumption rates, Singapore is at the top, followed by Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Kyoto, Japan.
The 2018 Cannabis Price Index also shares these findings:
- Los Angeles in California (USA) has the most number of headshops, totaling 156.
- Madrid, Spain has the largest amount of growshops, totaling 68.
- Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive weed, at $32.66 per gram. This is followed closely by Seoul, South Korea, where the price per gram is at $32.44. In third place is Kyoto, which is also in Japan, where pot is sold for $29.65. Marijuana is still illegal in both countries, although South Korea legalized the use of the drug for medical purposes in November 2018.
- Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive pot, at $1.34 USD per gram. Bogota, Colombia and Asuncion, Paraguay follow closely, with weed being priced at $2.2 and $2.22 per gram, respectively.
Moreover, based on the average U.S. cannabis tax rates that are currently implemented, New York City could also generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalizing the drug, with $156.40 million per year. This is followed by Cairo, Egypt, which could potentially generate $98.78 million in cannabis taxes. Los Angeles comes third, with a total possible tax collection of $55.1 million.
Conducting the research
The initial study started by selecting 120 cities from all over the world where cannabis consumption data is available. These cities include locations where marijuana is already legal, still illegal, and partially legal.
ABCD then investigated the price of pot per gram in every city. In order to calculate how much potential tax a city could generate by legalizing the drug, ABCD looked at how much tax is collected for the most popular brand of cigarettes since this offers the closest comparison. The company then found out what percentage weed is currently taxed in cities in the U.S. where the drug is already legalized.
You can see the full report here.