Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Market

Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Market Snapshot (2023 to 2033)

Valued at US$ 1.57 billion in 2022, the market for cannabis use disorder treatment is foreseen to rise to US$ 1.65 billion in FY 2023, representing a Y-o-Y increase of over 5%. Across the forecast period ranging from 2023 to 2033, the industry is likely to gain traction at a CAGR of 4.9%, reaching a market value of US$ 2.66 billion. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that as of 2020, around 275 million people consumed drugs worldwide, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders.

Between 2010 and 2019, the number of people using drugs increased by 22%, owing in part to global population growth. Based on demographic changes alone, current projections suggest an 11% rise in the number of people who use drugs globally by 2030- and a marked increase of 40% in Africa, due to its rapidly growing young population. All these factors and statistics are prompting healthcare providers to invest in top-of-the-line treatments, therapeutics, and diagnostic procedures, paving way for significant market developments.

At present, cannabis use disorder is treated with counseling and therapy, though several medications are being investigated as potential alternatives. Experts opine that should a concrete drug be discovered; it may be combined with therapy to offer the best prognosis for patients. A CUD diagnosis can be complicated by comorbid or co-occurring mental health conditions. For instance, cannabis use disorder is strongly associated with both major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Some studies have also found higher rates of cannabis use disorder in people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Prominent treatment providers in the market are leveraging a host of therapeutic and combat approaches. These include an amalgamation of measures, such as conducting pipeline studies to develop effective drug candidates, offering therapy sessions in-house, or collaborating with healthcare tech providers to design apps aimed at helping reduce cannabis and opioid dependence in phased manners.

Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Historical Analysis 2018 to 2022 vs. Future Prospects 2023 to 2033

According to Future Market Insights, cannabis use disorder treatment experienced significant uptake from 2018 to 2022, experiencing a CAGR of 4.6%, given the alarming increase in the number of users dependent on cannabis for recreational use. The bulk of marijuana or cannabis consumption is concentrated within the USA. It was reported that over 50% of adults in the country (over 128 million) have consumed it, despite being contraband under Federal Law. Most treatment approaches have included a host of approaches, from counseling & behavioral therapy to de-addiction drugs.

Moreover, several countries have pushed for legalizing cannabis consumption- a move that is expected to significantly reduce dependence. For instance, in December 2022, the state of Montana lifted the ban on recreational cannabis, bolstering marijuana businesses and generating millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state and local governments. Consumption of cannabis further rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people sought ways to cope with general anxiety and get some stress relief.

In the future, the scope for cannabis use disorder treatment is only expected to rise, with a host of therapeutic and treatment approaches on the cards. A core focus area is expected to be the development of pharmacological treatments. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), for instance, has identified eight trials with a total of 667 study participants. They were administered Dronabinol, a drug that significantly reduced cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Other similar drugs are expected to be developed in forthcoming years.

Prominent Drivers Influencing Market Growth of Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment

A Generic Increase in Substance Abuse Globally providing Impetus to Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment

Cannabis, or marijuana, remains the most widely used recreational drug in the world, and its usage stats are staggering. As per the World Health Organization (W.H.O), approximately 147 million people, or 2.5% of the global population consume marijuana. Much like any industry, the cannabis industry offers different products to satisfy the unique needs of the target customers. On the other hand, consumers from different generations have developed specific preferences for product types. 43.6% of consumers prefer flowers, 16.6% vapor pens, 9.8% concentrates, and 20.2% prerolls and edibles respectively.

As per the UNODC’s report, around 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide in 2020, a 26% increase over the previous decade. Young people are using more drugs, with use levels today in many countries higher than with the previous generation. Globally, the report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide were injecting drugs. Around half of this number were living with hepatitis C, 1.4 million were living with HIV, and 1.2 million were living with both.

In Africa and South and Central America, the largest proportion of people in treatment for drug use disorders is there primarily for cannabis use disorders. In the USA and Canada, overdose deaths, predominantly driven by an epidemic of the non-medical use of fentanyl, continue to break records. Preliminary estimates in the USA point to more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, up from nearly 92,000 in 2020.

Healthcare Practitioners and Addicts Leveraging Technology to Undertake De-Addiction Programs

Undoubtedly, technology has revolutionized the global healthcare industry, introducing a broad range of treatment options, diagnoses, and therapies for previously incurable diseases and conditions. Substance abuse treatment is no stranger when it comes to utilizing the power of the virtual world. The most popular applications are those aimed at helping users quit smoking since it is the most common way of ingesting weed, marijuana, and other psychotropic substances. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths, and more than 16 million people across the USA live with smoking-related diseases.

A number of smartphone apps have been designed to help ease the burden of substance abuse. Flamy, for instance, provides two options for the smoking cessation journey. One can either choose the one less everyday plan, or the 14 Days Challenge if users are looking to fast-track their results. The app provides a variety of stop-smoking cards and allows users to challenge their friends to quit smoking together.

Another app titled Get Rich or Die Smoking offers a sophisticated reward system that includes a variety of trophies one can obtain. It supports several currencies and offers detailed statistics on the user’s progress. The app also has a community chat to keep users encouraged on their journey, by helping them talk with other people trying to quit. It even offers a relapse button to help get back on track to achieving said goals.

Sabyasachi Ghosh

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Region-wise Analysis

How will Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Assume Shape in North America?

An Alarming Increase in Substance Abuse Cases pushing for Stringent Governmental Regulations

North America is expected to generate ample growth opportunities for cannabis use disorder treatment. As per Future Market Insights, the region is anticipated to account for nearly 45% of all treatments. The CDC projects that marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the USA. As of 2019, 48.2 million people, or 18% of the population, have consumed it at least once. It also claims that approximately 3 in 10 people who consume marijuana have marijuana use disorder.

More recently, in January 2023, there were over 7,000 cases of accidental marijuana ingestion by children younger than five years of age between 2017 and 2021. This mostly happened via the consumption of edibles such as brownies and gummies. Also, the National Poison Data System reported that in 2020, pediatric cases of edible marijuana ingestion accounted for more than 40% of all human poison exposures.

Attributed to these alarming statistics, the government has endeavored to reduce incidences of illegal cannabis consumption. For instance, in October 2022, the US Parliament urged federal agencies to re-evaluate the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, in line with heroin and LSD with no accepted medical use. This would permit its use as a Schedule II or III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, for medical use. This would supposedly help prevent abuse. Likewise, President Biden met with Mexican officials to put a plan in action for stopping illicit drugs passing through the country’s southern border. The drug smuggled is fentanyl, highly addictive and 50 times more potent than heroin.

Will Latin America Provide Expansion Opportunities for Cannabis Use Disorder Treatments?

Efforts Underway to Legalize Recreational Consumption Hope to Reduce Dependence

Latin America is expected to present a wide range of expansion opportunities, attributed to a renewed crackdown on illicit drug consumption, especially across countries such as Mexico, Uruguay, and Panama. Over the years, the Americas have initiated reforms of cannabis laws and policies and have opened paths to regulation. In 2013, Uruguay became the first country to pass legislation creating a national legal market for medical and non-medical cannabis.

More than implementing regulations designed to completely cease cannabis consumption, countries across the region are instead seeking to legalize recreational use, in the hopes of expecting overall dependence. Taking Uruguay’s case, the Senate has approved ground-breaking legislation legalizing marijuana, becoming the first nation in the world to oversee the production and sale of the drug. Consequently, a number of manufacturers are finding it easier to enter the market.

For instance, in December 2022, Vertican Growth Inc. entered the cannabis cultivation and manufacturing landscape in Uruguay. The company did so by acquiring 100% stakes in Algamur SA, Wemblar Corporation SA, and Dukiliu Trade SA- three regional companies involved in cannabis cultivation for manufacturing pharmaceutical-grade products. Overall, the Latin American market for cannabis use disorder treatment is likely to flourish at a CAGR of 4.5% until 2033

What are the Growth Prospects for Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment in Europe?

Presence of Effective and Comprehensive Treatment Programs in Key Countries Driving Growth

Europe is anticipated to be an important arena for treating cannabis use disorders during the 2023 to 2033 assessment period, expected to expand at a CAGR of 4%. A variety of evidence-based treatments are available for cannabis use disorders. Compared with standard treatment in place, these interventions are more effective in reducing the frequency and quantity of substance use, as well as the severity of substance use-related problems.

Most countries in Europe offer evidence-based treatment programs for cannabis use disorders. These follow either a general substance use treatment approach or a cannabis-specific approach. Population surveys indicate that cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in most European countries. Estimates suggest 5 % of adults aged 15-64 years in the European Union, or 18 million adult Europeans, used cannabis in 2014, while 74 million adult Europeans reported having used cannabis at least once in their life.

In October 2022, Germany laid out a bold plan to fully legalize recreational cannabis for people aged 18 and over. For now, Germany and the Commission are in preliminary discussions exchanging arguments. The official notification procedure will start in 2023. Through this approach, the country hopes to reduce overall dependence on cannabis, thus reducing the burden of substance abuse in forthcoming years.

Category-wise Insights

Which Type of Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment is Most Prevalent?

Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping Addiction to be Most Treated

According to FMI, tobacco/nicotine and vaping addiction are expected to comprise the bulk of all cannabis use disorder treatments, accounting for 67% of all treatments. Nicotine addiction is a complex disorder with no easy cure. Habitual use of tobacco and tobacco products continues to be a significant contributor to health problems worldwide. As per the W.H.O., around 1.3 billion are addicted to tobacco.

Tobacco use accounts for more than 5 million deaths worldwide each year, making de-addiction a top priority. Recently, in January 2023, Achieve Life Sciences announced the completion of treatment in its Phase 3 ORCA-3 clinical trial. ORCA-3 is evaluating the smoking cessation efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 3 mg cytisinicline dosed three times daily for either 6 or 12 weeks compared with placebo.

By Treatment, Which Approach is likely to Work Best for Cannabis Use Disorder?

Addicts Seeking Counselling & Behavioral Therapy as the Most Convenient Option

Based on treatment, cannabis use disorder is expected to be addressed maximum through counseling & behavioral therapy. This segment is expected to expand the fastest, registering a CAGR of 5.5% during the 2023 to 2033 period of assessment. This approach is heavily relied upon because medication-based treatment is still in its nascent stages.

Moreover, counseling & behavioral therapy permit de-addiction in a gradual and phased manner. This prevents the onset of withdrawal symptoms. With the advent of technology, it is now very easy to avail of counseling and therapy sessions in the virtual space. Applications such as Pear reSET, Sober Grid, and Nomo have all gained widespread popularity in the USA.

The Start-up Ecosystem: How Key Players are making Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Easier

As substance abuse becomes an area of concern, a plethora of start-ups are making their presence known across all continents. These players not only assist patients in giving up recreational cannabis consumption but also help them get de-addicted from tobacco, alcohol, and other psychotropic substances.

• Beyond Lucid Technologies has embarked on a mission to eliminate the scourge of addiction by providing smart connectivity to ambulances and hospitals before a patient’s arrival. The company deploys a unique CPaaS interface, helping share details of critical health information with mobile medical professionals even before they arrive on the scene. With respect to substance addiction, the software traces instances of automobile accidents to identify victims involved in it as a result of consuming a psychotropic substance
• Cloud 9 is a telehealth data and communication solution designed specifically for integrated care collaboration. The startup connects city and county public healthcare to public safety and social services addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Cloud 9 is also the rest collaborative telehealth product that connects police, fire, and EMS to remote mental health clinicians, allowing them to jointly treat patients experiencing a mental health crisis out in the community.
• Curatio builds private, mobile social health networks to improve adherence and self-management using artificial intelligence and peer support. The SaaS platform is available in 102 countries and 20 languages and is licensed on an annually renewable basis to pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy companies, payers, providers, research, and government organizations.
• Goldfinch Health provides the Goldfinch Guide, to help patients navigate their surgical journey and reduce opioid use. When an employee needs surgery, the employee is matched with a Goldfinch Guide and a Nurse Navigator. Goldfinch Nurse Navigators work with members to understand the path to surgery, clarify their goals, and tailor plans to support them through a critical time.

Competitive Landscape

While a majority of cannabis use disorder treatments are based on counseling and therapy, healthcare companies are conducting extensive clinical trials, implementing research & development projects, and collaborating with major funding agencies and other established market players. Some key players profiled in this report include Cipla Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, Orexo AB, and Allergan plc. to name a few.

• Orexo AB is a prominent face in the cannabis use disorder treatment domain. Its amorphOX® drug delivery technology is highly scalable, possessing unique properties which support highly differentiated pharmaceutical products. One of its pipeline projects includes the OX124 medication for treating opioid overdose. Containing Naloxone as its API, the drug is expected to be launched in the US market by the 2nd half of 2023.
• In November 2022, Indivor Plc. entered into a definitive agreement with Opiant Pharmaceuticals Inc. wherein the former will acquire the latter so as to cement its position as a leader in addiction treatment. Through this acquisition, Indivor will now supervise the potential of OPNT003, an opioid overdose treatment drug that will reduce dependence on illicit drugs such as fentanyl. Fentanyl is responsible for over 100,000 deaths due to overdose across the USA
• BioCorRx Inc. announced a partnership with Government Plus LLC, a leading provider of private sector healthcare to veterans, for expanding its Beat Addiction Recovery Program. BioCorRx Inc. is an addiction treatment solutions company offering a unique approach to the treatment of substance use and other related disorders. Beat Addiction Recovery is a substance use disorder recovery program that typically includes BioCorRx's proprietary Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) modules along with peer support via mobile app along with medication prescribed by an independent treating physician under their discretion.

Report Scope

Key Segments Profiled in the Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Industry Analysis

By Type:

• Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Synthetic Cannabinoids
• Others

By Treatment:

• Detoxification
• Counselling & Behavioral Therapy
• Medication
• Support Group

By End User:

• Hospitals and Clinics
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East & Africa