"Both lifetime and recent use of cannabis increased between 2016 and 2019. In 2019, 36% had used it in their lifetime (up from 35% in 2016) and 11.6% had used it in the last 12 months (up from 10.4%). In addition, more people reported using it in the month before the survey (from 5.8% to 6.6%) but there was no change in the frequency of use—about half of those who used cannabis did so monthly or more often (tables 4.16 and 4.20).
"The increase in lifetime use was due mainly to an increase among people aged 60 and over (from 13.8% to 18.9%) (Table 4.41). This could be due to an ageing cohort of people who had used cannabis, an increase in people deciding to try it, or to more people being willing to report their use.
"Between 2016 and 2019, recent use of cannabis increased among older people (Table 4.43). Recent use among those aged 50–59 and 60 and over is at the highest level since 2001. These age groups were also the most likely to use cannabis regularly, with almost half using it once a week or more."
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019. Drug Statistics series no. 32. PHE 270. Canberra AIHW.
