Small-scale cannabis cultivation, use, and supply in eighteen countries: methods, motives, and experiences

Domestic cannabis cultivation has become widespread around the world, including in countries that have historically depended on importation to meet internal demand for cannabis. Enabled by technological and horticultural developments, small-scale cannabis growing has become an established component of domestic cannabis markets. Small-scale growers operate alongside—but distinct from—drug markets dominated by serious and organized criminal outfits. This paper seeks to better understand the methods, motives, and experiences of those involved in small-scale cannabis cultivation. An anonymous online survey was completed using predominantly small-scale cannabis growers in 18 countries (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, and New Zealand). The survey asked active cannabis growers about their use of cannabis and other drugs; cannabis growing experience; methods and scale of growing operations; reasons for growing cannabis; participation in cannabis and other drug markets; contacts with the criminal justice system in relation to cannabis growing; involvement in other (non-drug-related) criminal activity; and demographic characteristics. Our findings suggest that the small-scale cannabis growers who responded to our survey are atypical kinds of drug market actor, representing a democratization of cannabis markets. They come from a wide range of demographic backgrounds and, cannabis-related activities aside, tend not to be involved in problematic drug use, profit-driven drug supply, or other serious criminal activities.