Russia and Ukraine Lead Cannabis Cultivation in Eastern Europe
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released its “World Drug Report 2020.” According to the report, Russia and Ukraine are the leading countries in cannabis cultivation in Eastern Europe.
Cannabis Cultivation Area Has Increased Over the Past Six Years
Most countries around the world do not have a comprehensive system for monitoring the area of cannabis cultivation, so UNODC experts were unable to determine the exact territory where the plant is grown. As a result, the agency published only general information. According to their data, from 2010 to 2018, cannabis was cultivated in 151 countries, home to 96% of the world’s population. By analyzing law enforcement reports, experts compiled a ranking of the leading countries by cannabis cultivation area:
- North America: Mexico, USA, and Canada
- South America: Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Chile
- Central America: Guatemala and Costa Rica
- Africa: Morocco and Nigeria
- Western and Central Europe: Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom
- Eastern Europe: Russia and Ukraine
- Southwest Asia: Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- South Asia: India and Nepal
- Oceania: Australia
In 88 countries, cannabis is grown outdoors, while in 64 countries it is cultivated indoors (in some countries, both methods are used). Indoor cultivation is most popular in Europe, North America, and South America. In Africa, cannabis is grown exclusively outdoors. From 2012 to 2018, the area of outdoor cannabis cultivation increased by 8%, while indoor cultivation grew by 23%.
Seized Cannabis Weight Hits 19-Year Low
In 2018, police seized cannabis products containing cannabinoids 1.4 million times, which is 40% more than in 2008. Cannabis and hashish were confiscated in 1.3 million cases. That year, law enforcement agencies seized 4,303 tons of cannabis—the lowest amount since 1999. The weight of seized cannabis decreased by 16% compared to 2017 and by 34% compared to 2010. North and South America accounted for 61% of all cannabis seizures.
In North America, the weight of seized cannabis dropped by 84% compared to 2010. UNODC experts believe this trend is due to the liberalization of cannabis laws in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. In all other regions, the amount of seized cannabis doubled over the same period. The regions with the highest growth in confiscated cannabis were:
- South America: up 194%
- Oceania: up 94%
- Europe and Asia: up 73%
- Africa: up 53%
Hashish Popularity Is Declining
In 2018, 1,339 tons of hashish were seized, 161 tons less than in 2008. 51% of the concentrate was confiscated in Western and Central Europe, 36% in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, and only 8% in North America. From 2008 to 2018, the largest drug shipments were intercepted in Spain, Pakistan, and Morocco.
Morocco remains the main supplier of hashish. In 2018, the area of cannabis cultivation in Morocco reached 47,500 hectares. Afghanistan ranked second, with cannabis grown on about 29,000 hectares. Pakistan rounded out the top three in hashish export volume.
Moroccan hashish is mainly supplied to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Pakistani and Lebanese smugglers transport the drug to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. Cannabis concentrate produced in Afghanistan is imported into Central Asia and Europe.