medigraphic.com
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública

2026, Number 4

<< Back Next >>

salud publica mex 2026; 68 (4)

Prevalence of current cannabis use in Mexico: Encodat 2025

Reyes-García A, Sánchez-Pájaro A, Rivera-Aguirre A, Pech-Puebla D, Segura LE, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T

Language: Spanish
References: 42
Page: 333-341
PDF size: 257.00 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of current cannabis use in the Mexican population aged 12 to 65 years and the prevalence of self-reported physical and emotional problems whether affecting the user or others. Materials and methods. We analyzed data from the 2025 National Survey on Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use (Encodat). Prevalence estimates were calculated for past-month use, consumption frequency as intensity indicator, and self-reported problems related to substance use. Results. Current cannabis use prevalence was 1.4% (1.3 million). Among current users, 49.2% reported weekly- or daily-use, and 26.6% reported perceived physical or emotional problems related to their consumption. Conclusions. Over 1.3 million Mexicans engage in current cannabis use, characterized by high intensity and associated problems. Despite the low prevalence, these findings underscore the need to strengthen surveillance and prevention efforts targeting frequent use.


REFERENCES

  1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. World Drug Report 2025:global instability compounding social, economic and security costs ofthe world drug problem. Viena: UNODC, 2025 [citado marzo 9, 2026].Disponible en: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2025/June/unodc-world-drug-report-2025_-global-instability-compounding-social--economic-and-security-costs-of-the-world-drug-problem.html

  2. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. World Drug Report2025. Statistical annex. Prevalence of drug use in the general population.Regional and global estimates. Viena: UNODC, 2025 [citado marzo 9,2026]. Disponible en: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2025-annex.html

  3. United Nations Office on drugs and crime. World Drug Report 2024.Prevalence of drug use in the general population. Regional and globalestimates. Viena: UNODC, 2024 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en:https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wdr2024-annex.html

  4. Comisión Nacional de Salud Mental y Adicciones, Instituto Nacional dePsiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas, Alcohol y Tabaco Encodat2025. México: Secretaría de Salud/Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública,2025 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/1044513/ENCODAT_-_COMPLETO.pdf

  5. Lorenzetti V, Hindocha C, Petrilli K, GriffithsP, Brown J, Castillo-Carniglia A, et al. The International Cannabis Toolkit (iCannToolkit): amultidisciplinary expert consensus on minimum standards for measuringcannabis use. Addiction. 2022;117(6):1510-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15702

  6. Schluter MG, Hodgins DC. Measuring recent cannabis use across modesof delivery: development and validation of the cannabis engagementassessment. Addict Behav Rep. 2022;15:100413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100413

  7. Robinson T, Ali MU, Easterbrook B, Coronado-Montoya S, Daldegan-Bueno D, Hall W, et al. Identifying risk-thresholds for the associationbetween frequency of cannabis use and development of cannabis usedisorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend.2022;238:109582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109582

  8. Caulkins JP, Pardo B, Kilmer B. Intensity of cannabis use: Findings fromthree online surveys. Int J Drug Policy. 2020;79:102740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102740

  9. Figueiredo PR, Tolomeo S, Steele JD, Baldacchino A. Neurocognitiveconsequences of chronic cannabis use: a systematic review andmeta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;108:358-369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.014

  10. Storck W, Elbaz M, Vindis C, Déguilhem A, Lapeyre-Mestre M,Jouanjus E. Cardiovascular risk associated with the use of cannabisand cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart.2025;111(22):1047-56. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-325429

  11. Ghasemiesfe M, Ravi D, Vali M, Korenstein D, Arjomandi M, Krank J,et al. Marijuana use, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function. AnnIntern Med. 2018;169(2):106-15. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0522

  12. Ghasemiesfe M, Barrow B, Leonard S, Keyhani S, KorensteinD. Association between marijuana use and risk of cancer. JAMANetw Open. 2019;2(11):e1916318. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.16318

  13. Leung J, Chan GCK, Hides L, Hall WD. What is the prevalence and riskof cannabis use disorders among people who use cannabis? a systematicreview and meta-analysis. Addictive Behav. 2020;109:106479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106479

  14. Churchill V, Chubb CS, Popova L, Spears CA, Pigott T. The associationbetween cannabis and depression: an updated systematic review andmeta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2025;55:e44. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724003143

  15. Sanz-Pérez A, Serrano DR, Fraguas-Sánchez AI, Pardo M, Ruiz-Sánchez de León J, Estupiñá F, et al. Growing concerns: a systematicreview and meta-analysis of cannabis use and mental health risks inyouth. Addictive Behav. 2026;172:108528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108528

  16. National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine, Health andMedicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice,Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review andResearch Agenda. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: thecurrent state of evidence and recommendations for research. WashingtonDC: National Academies Press (US), 2017.

  17. Solmi M, De Toffol M, Kim JY, Choi M, Stubbs B, Thompson T, et al.Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of metaanalysesof randomised controlled trials and observational studies. BMJ.2023;382:e072348. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072348

  18. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Keysubstance use and mental health indicators in the United States: resultsfrom the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS PublicationNo. PEP25-07-007, NSDUH Series H-60). Rockville: Center for BehavioralHealth Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health ServicesAdministration, 2025 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56287/2024-nsduh-annualnational-report.pdf

  19. European Union Drugs Agency. Informe europeo sobre drogas 2025.Cannabis: situación actual en Europa. Lisboa: EUDA, 2025 [citado marzo13, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2025/cannabis_es#edr25-section-prevalence

  20. European Union Drugs Agency. Informe europeo sobre drogas 2024.Cannabis: la situación actual en Europa. Lisboa: EUDA, 2024 [citadomarzo 13, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2024/cannabis_es#level-1-section1

  21. Myran DT, Pugliese M, Tanuseputro P, Cantor N, Rhodes E,Taljaard M. The association between recreational cannabis legalization,commercialization and cannabis-attributable emergency departmentvisits in Ontario, Canada: an interrupted time-series analysis. Addiction.2022;117(7):1952-60. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15834

  22. Chiu V, Leung J, Hall W, Stjepanović D, Degenhardt L. Public healthimpacts to date of the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabisuse in the USA. Neuropharmacology. 2021;193:108610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108610

  23. French Academy of Medicine. Legalizing “recreational” cannabis usewould cause serious public health problems. París: Académie Nationalede Médecine, 2025 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.academie-medecine.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legalizing-therecreational-use_.pdf

  24. Mattingly DT, Richardson MK, Hart JL. Prevalence of and trendsin current cannabis use among US youth and adults, 2013-2022. DrugAlcohol Depend Rep. 2024;12:100253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100253

  25. Ramón de la Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Fuente Muñiz, InstitutoNacional de Salud Pública, Comisión Nacional Contra las Adicciones,Secretaría de Salud. Consumo de drogas: prevalencias globales, tendenciasy variaciones estatales. México: Ramón de la Instituto Nacional dePsiquiatría Fuente Muñiz, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, ComisiónNacional Contra las Adicciones, Secretaría de Salud, 2017 [citado marzo9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/234856/CONSUMO_DE_DROGAS.pdf

  26. Comisión Nacional de Salud Mental y Adicciones, Instituto Nacionalde Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Instituto Nacional de SaludPública. Metodología de la Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas,Alcohol y Tabaco 2025. Salud Publica Mex. 2025;67(5):515-22. https://doi.org/10.21149/17295

  27. Comité de Ética en Investigación. Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.Normativa institucional en ética de la investigación en seres humanos.Cuernavaca: INSP, 2023 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.insp.mx/insp-cei.html

  28. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. Evaluaciones, informese indicadores. Indicadores de Calidad. Coeficiente de variación. México:Inegi, 2024 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://extranet.inegi.org.mx/calidad/indicadores-de-calidad-y-evaluaciones/fichas/D.1.1%20COEFICIENTE%20DE%20VARIACI%C3%93N.html

  29. United Nations. UNODC World Drug Report 2021: pandemiceffects ramp up drug risks, as youth underestimate cannabis dangers.Egipto: United Nations. Press release. julio 25, 2021 [citado marzo 9,2026]. Disponible en: https://egypt.un.org/en/133090-unodc-world-drugreport-2021-pandemic-effects-ramp-drug-risks-youth-underestimatecannabis

  30. Di Trana A, Carlier J, Berretta P, Zaami S, Ricci G. Consequences ofCovid-19 lockdown on the misuse and marketing of addictive substancesand new psychoactive substances. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:584462.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.584462

  31. Secretaría de Gobernación. Decreto por el que se reforman yadicionan diversas disposiciones de la Ley General de Salud y delCódigo Penal Federal. México: Diario Oficial de la Federación, junio 19,2017 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5487335&fecha=19/06/2017#gsc.tab=0

  32. Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación. Eliminación de la prohibiciónabsoluta del consumo lúdico o recreativo de marihuana. extracto de ladeclaratoria general de inconstitucionalidad 1/2018. México: DirecciónGeneral de Derechos Humanos, 2021 [citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponibleen: https://www.scjn.gob.mx/derechos-humanos/sites/default/files/sentenciasemblematicas/resumen/2022-07/Resumen%20DGI%201-2018%20DGDH.pdf

  33. Centro de Estudios Sociales y de Opinión Pública. Estudio sobre lasprácticas y preferencias de regulación de cannabis en México. México:Cámara de Diputados, Centro de Estudios Sociales y de OpiniónPública, 2024 [citado marzo 16, 2026]. Disponible en: https://portalhcd.diputados.gob.mx/PortalWeb/Micrositios/d26ff6dd-790b-4948-b013-6d20ede8c2e6.pdf

  34. Canadian Cannabis Survey. Cannabis use for non-medical purposesamong people in Canada (Aged 16+). Ottawa: Health Canada, 2024[citado marzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/cannabis/

  35. University of Minnesota. School of Public Health. Cannabis research.Research Summaries. Mineápolis: University of Minnesota, 2025 [citadomarzo 9, 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.sph.umn.edu/research/centers/cannabis/research/cannabis/summaries/

  36. Farrelly KN, Wardell JD, Marsden E, Scarfe M, Najdzionek P, Turna J,MacKillop J. The impact of recreational cannabis legalization on cannabisuse and associated outcomes: a systematic review. Subst Abuse. 2023;17.https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218231172054

  37. Alam T, Riegal C, Saadeh N, Gushken F, Snyder H, Jenks B, Anad A.Recreational cannabis legalization: potential implications for individualand community health. Cleve Clin J Med. 2025;92(7):407-13. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.92a.24086

  38. Amrock SM, Sajkiewicz AJ. Trends in US adolescent cannabis use,1991-2023. Addictive Behav. 2026;176:108634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108634

  39. Sánchez-Pájaro A, Pérez-Ferrer C, Cobo-Armijo F, Pech-Puebla D,López-Olmedo N, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T. Legalización de cannabisrecreativa: lecciones de salud pública para México. Salud Publica Mex.2025;67(2):180-9. https://doi.org/10.21149/16292

  40. Hemsing N, Greaves L. Gender norms, roles and relations andcannabis-use patterns: a scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(3):947. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030947

  41. Stuyt E. The problem with the current high potency THCmarijuana from the perspective of an addiction psychiatrist. Mo Med.2018;115(6):482-86.

  42. Arterberry BJ, Treloar-Padovano H, Foster KT, Zucker RA, HicksBM. Higher average potency across the United States is associatedwith progression to first cannabis use disorder symptom. DrugAlcohol Depend. 2019;195:186-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.11.012




2020     |     www.medigraphic.com