VISAKHAPATNAM: Though Andhra Pradesh is one of the largest producers of cannabis in the country, the state has among the lowest proportion of cannabis users. While the all-India average for cannabis use stands at 2.83 per cent, the average is only 1.04 per cent for Andhra Pradesh, states a survey by the ministry of social justice and empowerment, titled ‘Magnitude of Substance in Use in India’. The survey was conducted in all states and UTs.
The survey report states that Punjab has the highest proportion (12.55 per cent) of cannabis users in the country, followed by Sikkim (10.94 per cent) and Delhi (8.12 per cent). The other states in southern India also have a low proportion of cannabis users, with Kerala at 1.28 per cent, Karnataka at 0.54 per cent, Tamil Nadu at 0.16 per cent and Telangana at 0.62 per cent. There is a preponderance of men among cannabis consumers.
