Geneva, Amsterdam, and Erfurt top Europe's 2025 cannabis consumption rankings
Mainz ranks among the 15 European cities with the highest cannabis consumption, according to a new EU study. The findings come from regular research conducted by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which analyzed wastewater in around 115 cities.
In the ranking of cities with the highest cannabis use, Mainz takes 15th place. The study reports a level of 130.6 milligrams of THC-COOH—a cannabis metabolite—per 1,000 people per day. For comparison, Berlin, Germany's capital, ranks fourth with 172 milligrams, while Frankfurt, in ninth place, records roughly 150 milligrams. Geneva tops the European list, followed by Amsterdam and Erfurt.
Widespread Variations in Drug Use Across Europe
For the study, researchers examined municipal wastewater to measure drug residues and their metabolites. These concentrations allow estimates of consumption within each city's population. The latest analysis included samples from 2025.
Beyond cannabis, the study also tracked residues of cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and ketamine. The findings reveal stark geographic differences in drug use across Europe. While cocaine and ketamine consumption rose continent-wide, MDMA use declined. Levels of amphetamine and methamphetamine remained largely unchanged.
Overall, cannabis consumption in European cities remained stable compared to the previous year. The highest levels were detected in cities in the Netherlands, Germany, and Slovenia.
