Health Reports: Analysis of trends in the prevalence of cannabis use and related metrics in Canada
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Released: 2019-06-19
Since the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use in October 2018, more Canadians are using cannabis, but they are not using it more often. From 2018 to 2019, rates of cannabis use increased from 14% to 18%, particularly among males (16% to 22%). The proportion of Canadians aged 15 and older that reported using cannabis on a daily or almost daily basis (6%) was unchanged from one year earlier, when non-medical cannabis use was still illegal.
These findings are from a new study released today in Health Reports that provides more detailed information about the characteristics of cannabis consumers, as well as the types and quantities of cannabis consumed. In addition to data from five iterations of the National Cannabis Survey (2018-2019), data from the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS) and the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS) were used to look at rates of use pre-legalization (2004 to 2017).
By early 2019, cannabis consumers on average were 38 years old, which is nine years older than the average age in 2004. However, data from CTADS and CTUMS suggest that the average age of cannabis consumers has been rising for at least 15 years.
Dried cannabis (flower/leaf) was the most common product used in early 2019. The average user consumed 28 grams over three months, but the quantity used differed based on frequency of use. For example, daily or almost daily users consumed just over 63 grams over the three-month reference period, whereas persons indicating they used once or twice consumed about 3 grams.
This report is part of an ongoing series of products released by Statistics Canada related to the economic, social, and health aspects of cannabis, including information on consumption, prices and cannabis-related offences. All information products released to date by Statistics Canada, as well as forthcoming products, can be found on the Cannabis Stats Hub.
Note to readers
The Cannabis Act (C-45) became law on October 17, 2018. In light of this change, Statistics Canada has been adapting the national statistical system to measure the social and economic impacts of legalized cannabis.
This study is based on data from three surveys: the National Cannabis Survey (NCS), the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS), and the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS).
The target population of the three surveys was the household population aged 15 and older in each province. NCS samples averaged 5,811 respondents. CTUMS sample sizes were 19,822-21,976 and correspond to response rates: 73.8%-83.5%. CTADS sample sizes were 14,565-16,349 and had response rates of 35.7%-63.1%. All three surveys were voluntary and excluded residents of the territories (except NCS 2018 Q2 which included territorial residents), full-time residents of institutions, the homeless, and persons unable to converse in English or French.
Data limitations and cautions
The information in this release is self-reported and has not been validated. Social desirability and fear of punishment, both of which are potential sources of bias, may be especially relevant to this analysis. Changes over time in respondents' willingness to admit drug use may be influencing the statistics but remains difficult to measure.
Additional information
For more information regarding cannabis statistics, consult the Cannabis Stats Hub. Statistics Canada is collecting information on cannabis prices through a crowdsourcing site, StatsCannabis. Please visit the site and share your information with confidence; participation is anonymous.
Products
"Analysis of trends in the prevalence of cannabis use and related metrics in Canada" is now available in the June 2019 online issue of Health Reports, Vol. 30, no. 6 (82-003-X).
This issue of Health Reports also contains the article, " Cumulative toll of exposure to stressors in Canadians: An allostatic load profile."
Contact information
To enquire about "Analysis of trends in the prevalence of cannabis use and related metrics in Canada," contact Michelle Rotermann (michelle.rotermann@canada.ca), Health Analysis Division.
To enquire about "Cumulative toll of exposure to stressors in Canadians: An allostatic load profile," contact media relations at Health Canada (613-957-2983).
For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).
For more information about Health Reports, contact Janice Felman (613-799-7746; janice.felman@canada.ca), Health Analysis Division.
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