In 2024, Namibians were asked about their approval of adult cannabis use. Perceptions vary significantly across the country, with nearly 70% of respondents in the //Kharas, Hardap, and Zambezi regions believing that adult cannabis use is “sometimes justified” or “always justified”, compared to just 5% in the Ohangwena region.
By ethnicity, over 80% of Caprivian respondents approve of cannabis use, followed by 69% of Nama respondents. In contrast, fewer than a quarter of Ovambo respondents believe cannabis use is justified.
Younger Namibians generally express greater approval, with 40% of those aged 18-25 and 46% of those aged 26-35 indicating support. Conversely, only a quarter of respondents aged 56 and above are in favour.
Approval also correlates with education: 46% of those holding at least a university degree approve of cannabis use, compared to 34% of those whose highest level of education is primary school.
Men are slightly more supportive than women, with 40% of male respondents approving, compared to 37% of female respondents.
– Tannan Groenewald is the Cirrus head of data & analytics.
