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Hobin E, Schwartz N, Poon T, Hammond D. Prevalence of cannabis use and the frequency, types, and sources of cannabis products used in northern remote territories of the Canadian legal cannabis market. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024; 115:628-638. [PMID: 38760617 PMCID: PMC11303624 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-024-00891-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Cannabis Policy Study in the Territories (CPST) is an annual repeat cross-sectional study aiming to evaluate the impacts of cannabis legalization in the Canadian territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), where there is a paucity of data on cannabis use. This current study's objective was to describe the 2022 CPST, including methods, population prevalence estimates of cannabis use, and legal cannabis sources and perceptions in the territories. METHODS The 2022 CPST includes 2462 respondents (aged 16 +) residing in the territories who either use or do not use cannabis. Respondents were recruited through mail-push-to-web invitations sent via licensed mailing lists, sampling from a near census of households in the territories. Population-weighted indicators of cannabis use are described. RESULTS Past 12-month cannabis use was self-reported by 46.1%, and 21.8% self-reported daily/almost daily use. The most commonly used product types among past 12-month consumers were dried flower (73.4%), edibles (59.0%), and vape oils (35.7%). On average, 74.8% of cannabis products used in the past 12 months were from legal sources, though legal sourcing varied by product type (54.4‒92.2%). Cannabis consumers reported favourable perceptions of legal compared to illegal cannabis products regarding quality, convenience, and safety, but a lesser extent for price. CONCLUSION Cannabis use is highly prevalent in the territories, particularly daily/almost daily use, and legal market penetration is high despite region remoteness. Following cannabis legalization, monitoring cannabis use prevalence and patterns in remote regions is important for informing the development of harm reduction and prevention initiatives that consider the unique needs of these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Hobin
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Fischer B, Robinson T. Should cannabis self-cultivation be part of a public health‒oriented legalization policy framework? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024:10.17269/s41997-024-00914-5. [PMID: 39048848 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-024-00914-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Cannabis control policies are increasingly being liberalized, including the legalization of non-medical cannabis use and supply in multiple settings, for example in Canada, with main policy objectives focusing on improved public health. An important while contested matter has been the appropriate design of legal cannabis supply structures and sources. These, in most Americas-based legalization settings, have included provisions for (limited) 'home cultivation'. Recent data suggest that about 8% of active consumers engage in cannabis home cultivation for their own supply, while approximately 14% are exposed to it in/around their home. Home cultivation commonly exceeds legal limits and/or occurs where not allowed, and is disproportionately associated with high-frequency and/or other risk patterns of cannabis use. In addition, home cultivation may facilitate exposure or diversion of cannabis to minors, as well as pose possible environmental exposure risks especially when occurring indoors. Given its placement in private spaces, related regulations are largely shielded from enforcement. Home cultivation, therefore, bears substantive potential to circumvent or work counter to public health‒oriented legalization policy objectives. Recent assessments of health outcomes from cannabis legalization show mixed-including multiple adverse-results, implying the need for regulatory revisions towards protecting public health outcomes. Especially in settings where extensive (e.g. commercial) retail systems were established to provide regulated, legal cannabis products to consumers, it is questionable whether home cultivation overall serves primary public health‒oriented objectives; relevant data should be expanded and used to review related provisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fischer
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health & Addiction, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Research & Graduate Studies, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Canada School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Tessa Robinson
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Maillet MA. Individual differences in legal and illicit cannabis purchasing behaviour in British Columbia, Canada: Findings from a 2021 cross-sectional survey. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 126:104363. [PMID: 38401174 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite thousands of licensed cannabis retail stores operating across Canada, there remains a significant illicit cannabis market. Some cannabis users continue to buy cannabis from dealers, illicit stores, and/or illicit online retailers. METHODS Data are from the 2021 British Columbia Cannabis Use Survey. Respondents (n = 8473) were 19 years or older, lived in British Columbia at the time of the survey, and reported using cannabis in the past 12 months. RESULTS Buying cannabis from all types of illicit sources was more common among younger cannabis users, those who use cannabis more frequently and started using cannabis before the age of 17 (vs. 19 or older), and among those who co-use cannabis with other drugs. Specifically, buying cannabis from a dealer was more common among men, those with lower educational attainment, and those who seek the lowest prices when buying cannabis. In contrast, those using cannabis for medical (vs. non-medical) purposes were more likely to report getting cannabis from illicit retail stores, while buying cannabis from illicit websites was more common among people who use edible cannabis products. CONCLUSION Consistent with other studies, younger and more frequent cannabis users were more likely to report buying cannabis from illicit sources. However, these findings suggest there is significant heterogeneity among those who buy cannabis from different types of illicit sources, which should be carefully considered when developing policies and strategies aimed at encouraging consumers to transition to legal sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myles A Maillet
- B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Canada
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Salthammer T. The legalization of cannabis may result in increased indoor exposure to Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:132949. [PMID: 37976847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is a genus of plants in the Cannabaceae family that contains tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. When heated or burned, the acid decarboxylates to form tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its (-)-trans-Δ9-THC isomer is a psychoactive substance that has been used as a drug for centuries. In most countries, both the private sale of cannabis products and their use for non-medical purposes are still prohibited by law. However, for some time now there has been societal and political pressure to at least partially legalize cannabis products. It can be expected that such a measure will lead to a significant increase in the consumption of cannabis. However, this also increases the possibility of involuntary passive exposure to THC and contamination of the indoor environment. In indoor sciences, THC is still a largely unknown or underrepresented substance. In this perspective paper, THC will therefore first be presented on the basis of its physical properties. Then, the distribution of THC in different indoor compartments and potential routes of passive exposure are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the future importance of THC for indoor use is made. Previous experience has shown that early monitoring is always advantageous so that preventive and protective measures can be taken quickly if necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tunga Salthammer
- Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Fraunhofer WKI, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Fischer B, Jutras-Aswad D, Hall W. Résultats associés à la politique canadienne de légalisation du cannabis pour usage à des fins récréatives: bilan après 5 ans. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1648-E1650. [PMID: 38049164 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230808-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fischer
- Centre de recherche appliquée en santé mentale et en toxicomanie (Fischer), Faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Simon Fraser, Vancouver, C.-B.; Division de la recherche et des études de cycle supérieur (Fischer), Université de la vallée du Fraser, Abbotsford, C.-B.; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; École de santé des populations (Fischer), Université d'Auckland, Auckland, Nouvelle-Zélande; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université fédérale de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brésil; Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Qc; Centre de recherche national sur l'usage de substances psychoactives chez les jeunes (Hall), Faculté des sciences de la santé et du comportement, Université du Queensland, Sainte-Lucia, Australie.
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Centre de recherche appliquée en santé mentale et en toxicomanie (Fischer), Faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Simon Fraser, Vancouver, C.-B.; Division de la recherche et des études de cycle supérieur (Fischer), Université de la vallée du Fraser, Abbotsford, C.-B.; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; École de santé des populations (Fischer), Université d'Auckland, Auckland, Nouvelle-Zélande; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université fédérale de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brésil; Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Qc; Centre de recherche national sur l'usage de substances psychoactives chez les jeunes (Hall), Faculté des sciences de la santé et du comportement, Université du Queensland, Sainte-Lucia, Australie
| | - Wayne Hall
- Centre de recherche appliquée en santé mentale et en toxicomanie (Fischer), Faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Simon Fraser, Vancouver, C.-B.; Division de la recherche et des études de cycle supérieur (Fischer), Université de la vallée du Fraser, Abbotsford, C.-B.; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; École de santé des populations (Fischer), Université d'Auckland, Auckland, Nouvelle-Zélande; Département de psychiatrie (Fischer), Université fédérale de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brésil; Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Qc; Centre de recherche national sur l'usage de substances psychoactives chez les jeunes (Hall), Faculté des sciences de la santé et du comportement, Université du Queensland, Sainte-Lucia, Australie
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Hammond D. Commentary on Hall et al.: Evaluating impact of cannabis legalization in Canada-initial outcomes and current trends. Addiction 2023; 118:2073-2075. [PMID: 37635314 DOI: 10.1111/add.16322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Fischer B, Jutras-Aswad D, Hall W. Outcomes associated with nonmedical cannabis legalization policy in Canada: taking stock at the 5-year mark. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1351-E1353. [PMID: 37816520 PMCID: PMC10610949 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fischer
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (Fischer), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC; Division of Research and Graduate Studies (Fischer), University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population Health (Fischer), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Que.; National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (Hall), Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (Fischer), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC; Division of Research and Graduate Studies (Fischer), University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population Health (Fischer), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Que.; National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (Hall), Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Wayne Hall
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (Fischer), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC; Division of Research and Graduate Studies (Fischer), University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population Health (Fischer), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Psychiatry (Fischer), Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology (Jutras-Aswad), Université de Montréal; Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Jutras-Aswad), Montréal, Que.; National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (Hall), Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
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Capler NR, Balneaves LG, Buxton JA, Kerr T. Reasonable access: important characteristics and perceived quality of legal and illegal sources of cannabis for medical purposes in Canada. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:18. [PMID: 37291647 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00185-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Throughout the past two decades of legal medical cannabis in Canada, individuals have experienced challenges related to accessing legal sources of cannabis for medical purposes. The objective of our study was to examine the sources of cannabis accessed by individuals authorized to use medical cannabis and to identify possible reasons for their use of illegal sources. METHODS Individuals who participated in the Cannabis Access Regulations Study (CANARY), a national cross-sectional survey launched in 2014, and indicated they were currently authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes in Canada were included in this study. We assessed differences between participants accessing cannabis from only legal sources versus from illegal sources in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, health-related factors, and characteristics of medical cannabis they considered important. A secondary analysis assessed differences in satisfaction with various dimensions of cannabis products and services provided by legal versus illegal sources. RESULTS Half of the 237 study participants accessed cannabis from illegal sources. Individuals accessing cannabis from illegal sources were significantly more likely to value pesticide-free products, access to a variety of strains, ability to select strain and dosage, ability to observe and smell cannabis, availability in a dispensary, and availability in small quantities than did individuals accessing cannabis from only legal sources (all p < 0.05). Additionally, participants gave significantly higher satisfaction scores to illegal sources than to legal sources on service-related dimensions of cannabis access (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings contribute to an understanding of reasonable access to medical cannabis from a patient perspective and how to assess whether it has been achieved. Characteristics of cannabis products and services valued by patients and appropriate to their needs should be incorporated into legal medical cannabis programs to promote the use of legal medical sources. While pertaining specifically to medical use of cannabis in Canada, the findings of this study may also be instructive for understanding the use of illegal cannabis sources for non-medical purposes in Canada and provide insight for other jurisdictions implementing cannabis regulations for both medical and non-medical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Rielle Capler
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Musqueam Traditional Territory, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Lynda G Balneaves
- College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Room 495, 89 Curry Place, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jane A Buxton
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Musqueam Traditional Territory, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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