The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) released a report on February 20, 2019, titled National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. And it revealed a lot.

It’s the first year in which the program, which has been run since 2017, included testing for cannabis. Others drugs include methylamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, nicotine and alcohol, MDMA, and oxycodone.

Wastewater was tested in capital cities and regional sites around the country throughout August 2018. And the results are in.

Tasmania – you are Australia’s pot nation.

Results showed that on average, it’s estimated Tasmanians consume 43g – 52g of cannabis per 1000 people per day. Around 21% higher than the next highest capital city, Darwin.

Mr Michael Phelan, the CEO of ACIC, had the following to say:

Cannabis consumption has been included for the first time, showing regional average cannabis consumption exceeded capital city average consumption in August 2018. Its inclusion in the program provides further insight into one of the largest illicit drug markets in Australia.

Regional sites across New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria, all had cannabis use at above-average levels according to the study as well.

Capital city wise, Melbourne and Sydney (surprisingly) both had the lowest amounts of cannabis in their wastewater.

You can read the report here. Additionally, there was a national statement made by ACIC which you can see here. Or, you can just take a look at the snapshot of the cannabis findings here:

Fun fact: One of the reasons other countries are unable to conduct cannabis consumption testing in a similar nature is because samples have to be preserved to avoid the degradation of active ingredient – THC-CA.