Has federal marijuana legalization increased consumption rates among Canadians?
The legalization of marijuana in Canada for recreational purposes came into effect on October 17, 2018, and many cannabis businesses have emerged since then. There was speculation from some people that cannabis use would increase after legalization while others believed that things would remain the same.
Since federal marijuana legalization, there has been an increase in the number of people who consume cannabis in Canada. A national cannabis survey was released in May of this year. The National Cannabis Survey (NCS) collects data on the consumption of cannabis every three months.
Increase in cannabis consumption
This survey found that over 5 million Canadians had used cannabis since the legalization. That means that 18% of Canadians from age 15 and older ingested cannabis following the recreational legalization, which was an increase from the number of Canadians who consumed cannabis before the federal legalization. The year before legalization, only 14% of Canadians used marijuana products.
The increase in the number of Canadians using cannabis only occurred among male consumers, and most of them were between the ages of 45 and 64. Cannabis consumption for males has increased from 16% to 22%, and people aged 45 to 64 rates of use increased from 9% to 14%. One possible reason for the increase in cannabis use is due to the therapeutic and pain-relieving benefits of the compounds found in the cannabis plant called THC and CBD.
No increase in female rates of consumption
Although there was an increase for males, particularly amongst the middle-aged group, the average rates of consumption for females and younger people remained the same.
Increases based on province
Within the first quarters of 2018 and 2019, there was a change in the rate of consumption, but the change was not significant. Exceptionally, in Ontario, there was a 14% to 20% increase in the use of cannabis.
As we know, the number of cannabis users have increased since the first quarter of 2019. Some of these users are new to the use of cannabis while others had consumed cannabis before legalization, but a spike did occur after recreational use was made legal.
The number of cannabis users who reportedly used cannabis for the first time was twice the number of persons who used middle-age before recreational legalization.
Sourcing cannabis
Before the legalization of recreational cannabis, cannabis users would purchase cannabis from illegal sources, the black market. The national survey found that in the first three months of 2019, more cannabis consumers purchased their cannabis from legal sources.
Over two million Canadians have changed their source of purchase. Most Canadians purchase mainly from licensed producers and retailers. Weed at these retail stores may be more expensive than purchasing from illegal sources, although the money from consumers’ purchases can provide revenue for the government and more cannabis jobs for the unemployed. This is one of the reasons we should purchase from legal sources.
Frequency of use as a factor
Frequent use of cannabis can determine the impact of legalization on an individual. Approximately 6% of Canadians aged over 15 years have reported daily use of cannabis, while 4% reported that they consumed marijuana on a weekly basis. There was also an increase in the weekly consumption of marijuana products after the legalization. Data prior to legalization showed that 2% of Canadians used cannabis. Now, only 4% of Canadians use cannabis weekly, and there has been a similar increase with occasional use.
As such, more studies need to be conducted to determine whether the increase in cannabis consumption after legalization is only temporary. In all likelihood, more people were probably eager to use the drug for the first time without fear of consequence, and so these changes may fade with time.
