Many New Zealanders are turning to cannabis as an alternative to alcohol, which might explain why we are among the highest users in the world, a medical anthropologist says.

According to the Ministry of Health's most recent New Zealand Alcohol and Drug Use Survey, one in seven New Zealand adults will have used cannabis in the past year.

The survey found 46.4 per cent of all adults had used cannabis in their lifetime.

That put New Zealand among the highest cannabis users in the world in the 2013 United Nations World Drug Report.

Medical anthropologist and research consultant Geoff Noller, who completed his doctoral thesis on cannabis use in New Zealand, says a major theme was people using cannabis instead of drinking alcohol.

He surveyed 80 people in Dunedin about their cannabis use.

"A lot of people in my study found they didn't like alcohol, felt out of control when they had alcohol, so for a lot of the cannabis users, it was a way they could de-stress but remain in control."

Cannabis was easy to grow in New Zealand, and this had led to the development of a "cannabis culture" – comparable to wine-tasting, Noller said.

"People like cannabis, they like growing it, and the gardening side. They enjoy the different varieties like a person who might enjoy different types of wine," he said.

"There's a real interest outside of simply getting high, there's a whole culture around it."

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National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) president Chris Fowlie agreed the majority of cannabis users found it a more enjoyable, safer alternative to alcohol.

"They're making a decision to use something that works for them and is safe for them," he said.

New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said it was difficult to put a finger on exactly why New Zealand's cannabis user rates so high.

"There's something about us though, generally, we like our booze, so we're also one of the highest users of alcohol in the world," he said.

"When legal highs first hit the market, within a couple of years a quarter of the population had tried it, so there does seem to be something about Kiwis and their drugs."

The foundation is hosting an International Drug Policy Symposium at the end of the month to explore the science around cannabis and health.

"We've always had a focus on cannabis for the simple reason it's our most used illegal drug," Bell said.

"So we've decided to try to shed a light back on this drug that people kind of take for granted or simply ignore."



