The UN have released their annual ‘World Drug Report’ and it offers some interesting information regarding the production of cannabis around the world. Obviously as this report is carried out by the UN it does not include all nations but does encompass the vast majority of them.
Global Hash Production
🌍 Global Hashish (Cannabis Resin) Production
When it comes to cannabis resin, Morocco has long been considered one of the world’s largest producers. Reports from international agencies frequently place Morocco at the top of global hash production, with much of it historically exported into Europe.
Other major resin-producing regions often mentioned include:
- Afghanistan
- Lebanon
- India
- Pakistan
These areas have long traditions of resin production, often tied to specific climates and cultivation techniques. Quality and style vary widely by region, with different textures, colors, and cannabinoid profiles.
Global Flower Production
🌿 Global Cannabis Flower Production
Measuring flower production is even harder than resin, since much of it is consumed domestically and grown in small, hidden operations.
However, based on seizure data and law enforcement reports, large-scale production of cannabis herb is often associated with:
- Mexico
- The United States
- Canada
- Albania
- Colombia
- Jamaica
- Paraguay
- The Netherlands
North America frequently appears at the top of global seizure statistics, partly because of the scale of enforcement and monitoring. In countries like Canada and parts of the U.S., legal cultivation now also contributes significantly to overall production figures — something older reports didn’t account for.
In Europe, Albania and the Netherlands are often cited in connection with cannabis that enters regional markets, although home cultivation within individual countries also plays a big role.
Global Seizures
In 2014, the Americas accounted for about three quarters of all the cannabis herb seized worldwide, Africa accounted for 14 per cent and Europe accounted for 6 per cent.
At the subregional level, the largest amount of cannabis herb was seized in North America (accounting for 37 per cent of global seizures of cannabis herb in 2014), South America (24 per cent) and the Caribbean (13 per cent). The amount of seizures is misleading as that does not accurately represent the true amount of cannabis produced, North America’s huge lead can be attributed to their decades long failed war on drugs.
It is also no surprise that South America ranks second as the US government pour billions of dollars into combating the drug trade in countries such as Columbia.
The Future of Global Cannabis Cultivation
The future looks green for global cannabis cultivation, with trends pointing towards increased legalization, technological advancements in cultivation, and a burgeoning market for both medicinal and recreational use. As more countries enter the fray, the global landscape of cannabis cultivation is set to evolve, potentially shifting the balance of leading producers.
Conclusion
There’s no single, perfectly accurate answer to which country grows the most cannabis — but based on international reporting:
- Morocco is often cited as the world’s leading hashish producer
- Mexico, the U.S., and Canada frequently appear in discussions of large-scale flower production
- Afghanistan and Lebanon remain key resin-producing regions
Because much cultivation happens outside official reporting systems, the true picture is always bigger than the statistics suggest.