Canada: Purchase of cannabis from legal sources is increasing. 1/4 of the population consumed plant derivatives in 2023

The Canadian Health Agency published data on the Canadian Cannabis Survey 2023, which evaluates various aspects relating to cannabis consumption. Health Canada reported that more than a quarter of Canadians used cannabis in the last year and that acquisition through legal sources is on the rise. Although edibles and drinks are gaining popularity, the most popular method of consumption continues to be smoked.

The Canadian Cannabis Survey (CCS) 2023, conducted by the Canadian Health Agency, has been released annually since the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes in 2018. The purpose of the publication is to assess the impact of the “Cannabis Act”, providing information to all sectors of society on the non-medical use of cannabis. The CCS involves a two-step analysis process involving telephone interviews and an online questionnaire.

The results presented in this research correspond to the seventh cycle of data collection, carried out between May 2 and July 20, 2023. The sample of 11.690 participants, representative by province, age groups and gender, provides a comprehensive view of consumption patterns of cannabis in canada.

The main results of this report were the following:

1. 

   Percentage of cannabis use (Canada and provinces) Data: Health Canada

   Cannabis Use:

   • More than a quarter of Canadians (26%) reported using cannabis in the past 12 months, a 22% increase from 2018.
   • Usage in the last 30 days increased from 15% in 2018 to 17% in 2023, with notable differences between genders and age groups.
2. Consumption Methods:
   • Smoked cannabis consumption decreased from 89% in 2018 to 63% in 2023, thus remaining the preferred method for Canadians. However, consumption through ingestion or drinks increased from 43% to 55% in the same period, making it a popular alternative as products appear on the market.
   • Cannabis vaporization remained stable, representing 33% in 2023.
3. Cannabis Acquisition:
   • In 2023, 73% of consumers said they purchased cannabis from legal sources, a significant increase from 2018, where the figure was just 4%.
   • Purchasing from legal physical stores increased to 67%, while purchasing from legal websites decreased to 5%.
4. Monthly Expenses:
   • Average monthly spending on cannabis decreased from 73 Canadian dollars in 2018 to 63 dollars in 2023.
5. Knowledge and Attitudes:
   • 69% of Canadians agreed they have reliable information about the health risks of cannabis use, a decrease since 2019 and 2022.
   • 90% believe that cannabis use can be addictive, with notable differences between users and non-users.
     

     Users who drove under the influence of cannabis, by age. Data: Health Canada

6. Driving Under the Influence:
   • Fewer people (17%) reported driving after using cannabis, a significant reduction from 2018 (27%).
   • The majority (86%) believe that the use of cannabis impairs their ability to drive vehicles.

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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages ​​using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may appear in other languages.]