The popularity of cannabis in Australia appears to be growing, according to a recent ABC News report. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has shown a dramatic increase in the number of long-term cannabis users being admitted to the hospital.

The Centre has found that the number of Australians seeking treatment with cannabis-related problems has increased 30 percent since 2002. The increase in the rate of harmful use was mostly found among those over the age of 30.

Overall, the good news is that the rate of cannabis use has been dropping. In the past year, roughly 9 percent of Australians have smoked the drug, down from 11 percent in 2004. The challenge is that according to researchers at the University of New South Wales found those who are using the drug are using a larger quantity and using it more often.

Amanda Roxburgh, senior researcher at the university’s National Drug and Alcohol Centre, reports that the rate of harmful use of the drug has dramatically increased, particularly among those within the 30 to 49-year-old sect.

“We’re seeing an increase in cannabis-related harms, particularly hospital admissions, for things like cannabis dependence in particular,” she said in the ABC News. “And we’re seeing particularly in 30 to 39-year-olds, the admissions have increased quite a bit, as have the 40 to 49-year-old age group. What we think that reflects is a longer-term use over a long period of time.”

Roxburgh also highlighted that hospital admissions are generally for individuals seeking treatment for cannabis dependence, although a small number do seek help for cannabis intoxication or cannabis-induced psychosis. Old users are twice as likely to report daily use compared to the 14 to 19-year-old age group.