Characteristics of Canadians Intending to Initiate or Increase Cannabis Use Following Legalization: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The Government of Canada legalized the recreational use of cannabis on October 17th, 2018. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of Canadians (aged 15 years or older) intending to try or increase their cannabis use following legalization and explore characteristics associated with the intent to try or increase use. METHODS & DATA ANALYSIS: A secondary data analysis was conducted of cross-sectional data from Waves 1–3 of the National Cannabis Survey collected from February to September 2018. All respondents’ data were weighted and bootstrapped multivariable logistic and multinomial regression models were developed. Relative measures of association were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and relative risk ratios (RRRs), and absolute measures of association as adjusted risk differences (ARDs). RESULTS: Response rates were 51.2% (Wave 1), 51.3% (Wave 2), and 51.6% (Wave 3). An estimated 18.5% (95%CI: 17.6–19.5) of the study population indicated that they intended to try (12.3%) or increase (6.2%) cannabis use following legalization. Our weighted analysis represented 27,808,081 Canadians 15 years of age or older (unweighted n = 17,089). In our adjusted logistic model, being more likely to try or increase cannabis use was associated with younger age (15–24 years versus ≥65; aOR 3.8, 95%CI: 2.6–5.6; ARD 20.1%, 95%CI: 13.9–26.2), cannabis use in the past three months versus not (aOR 3.3, 95%CI: 2.8–3.9; ARD 20.4%, 95%CI: 17.1–23.6),higher income (≥$80,000 versus <$40,000; aOR 1.5, 95%CI: 1.3–1.9; ARD 6.1%, 95%CI: 3.2–9.0), and poor or fair mental health compared to good or excellent mental health (aOR 2.0, 95%CI: 1.6–2.6; ARD 11.5%, 95%CI: 6.7–16.2). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1 in 5 respondents reported their intention to try or increase cannabis use post–legalization. Intentions may not lead to actual changes in behaviour and further surveillance of cannabis use can help determine impact of policy change.