HERE IS THE AFRICAN COUNTRY WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF WEED SMOKERS IN THE WORLD

According to the latest 2014 World Drug Report , the West African nation of Ghana has been named the world’s largest per capita population of weed smokers. 2.8 million Ghanaians out of about the 25,000,000 population likes to light it up and get high on a daily basis. That’s a whopping 11.2% of the populace.

Other countries with a notorious weed-smoking habits includes the usual suspects ; Jamaica, U.S., Nigeria and Netherlands, but none of them come close to Ghana.

While usage in the U.S. rose after some marijuana legalization began in 2012, it’s still under 10%. It’s surprising, then, that Ghana still comes out on top even though marijuana consumption is illegal per its constitution.

Here’s a quick look at the national culture that has made Ghanaians the world’s top weed smokers:

What’s the weed scene like in Ghana?

Similar to most African countries, marijuana is actually illegal in Ghana, but seems to be openly acceptable by the new generation. Smoking weed in high schools and the university is considered ‘cool’. The area boys who are known to smoke ganja are typically regarded as the ‘cool kids on the block’, and are generally respected by the community they reside.

Weed in Ghana is very cheap.

One-eighth of an ounce of high-quality weed can cost GHC 30 ($15)  — in the U.S., one-eighth costs $30 to $50. There are generally three grades available: “Marri” is low-quality, “polli” is medium-grade and “riger” is the top-shelf stuff.

The preferred place to smoke weed in Ghana?

The ‘BUSH’ in the local communities are notoriously known as the ‘ganja’ spots. Most of the smoking is done outside in the bush. It’s very, very warm in Ghana, and thankfully there are many small hut-and-bench combos, which allow for cool breezes to flow over you while hiding from the ever-present glaring sun.

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) boss is open to legalization

The Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) can see some wisdom in  the legalisation of cannabis sativa because increasingly, ordinary people do not think that possessing the mentally-disturbing substance is a crime.

Take or leave it, there is “a virtual legalisation” of marijuana because already “mothers, sisters, girlfriends and wives are using stuff made of Indian hemp” for their hair”, the tough-talking Yaw Akrasi Sarpong said on Accra-based Power FM earlier this year.
Why do the people of Ghana love weed more than everyone else?
It’s very unclear why, maybe the Rastafarians have finally found a way to positively influence the public or Ghanaians simply know how to fun better than everyone else?

Download the complete report HERE