Cannabis is a point of interest for researchers and regulatory authorities, which causes global changes in its use and regulation. Countries regulate it in an individual manner, creating a need for the development of indicators that provide a comprehensive overview of the global situation. Accessibility of cannabis is a complex and multifaceted concept that defines how and under what conditions an individual can obtain cannabis. Due to the complexity of the concept, it is difficult to compare where accessibility is higher or lower. Current literature does not provide easily comparable data on cannabis accessibility across jurisdictions, as the available information is not quantified. In this master’s thesis, we filled out a questionnaire based on a review of the literature on the selected countries, which enables the calculation of a quantitative cannabis accessibility index. We determined the values of the quantitative Cannabis Accessibility Index (IDK) for selected countries and regions (Estonia, New Zealand, Japan, Texas, and the United Kingdom). We first determined the IDK values using a questionnaire which had been developed within the framework of another master’s thesis and then using a revised methodology that addressed the shortcomings of the original questionnaire. Using the original questionnaire, we determined the following IDK values: Japan (0,85), United Kingdom (3,27), Texas (4,55), New Zealand (3,95), and Estonia (7,06). The original questionnaire placed too much emphasis on the legal status of cannabis, which caused difficulties when comparing countries where cannabis for personal use is prohibited, which also includes all the countries and regions analysed in this thesis. Therefore, we revised the questionnaire towards greater universal applicability regardless of the legal status of cannabis. The revised questionnaire consists of twelve equally weighted questions, which we evenly distributed across four sections: personal, social, economic, and medical. Using the revised questionnaire, we determined new IDK values: Japan (4,45), Estonia (6,35), New Zealand (6,6), Texas (6,8), and United Kingdom (7,05). Through a comparative analysis with artificial intelligence and a review of the literature, we found that the revised methodology better represents the actual accessibility of cannabis. We transferred the updated questionnaire into the Data Stewardship Wizard platform, where researchers can use it to determine the IDK for new countries and regions, as well as for potential expansion and upgrading.
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