5. New Zealand
Use: 14.6% of the population
Status: Illegal
Population: 4.471 million (2013) Approx.
Cannabis is regarded as the most widely used illegal drug in New Zealand, and the third most widely used recreational drug after alcohol and nicotine. It is illegal to import, grow, sell, distribute, possess, or use cannabis in New Zealand. Possession of any amount of cannabis is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $500 for possession to a 14-year jail term for its supply or manufacture.
A poll in the New Zealand Herald shows that most New Zealanders want smoking cannabis to be decriminalized or made legal. Just under a third of those polled thought the smoking of cannabis should be fined but not warrant a criminal conviction, while a fifth went further and said it should be legalized;Â 45% said it should remain illegal, and 2.6% said they did not know.