WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS POLICY STUDY?
A major shift in substance use policy is underway as an increasing number of countries legalize ‘medical’ and ‘recreational’ cannabis. The overall objective of the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) is to understand the impact of cannabis policies and different legal frameworks. For example, does legalization lead to greater prevalence of use? Is legalization responsible for the shift towards ‘stronger’ more highly processed product forms, including vaping liquids, edibles, oral oils, and a wide diversity of solid extracts? How does these trends affect consumer patterns of use and adverse outcomes?
The ICPS project is also examining the impact of specific policies and regulations in legal markets. What are the best practices for regulating retail access, product standards, price, and cannabis advertising and promotion? Are there differences between more restrictive recreational markets in countries like Uruguay, compared to less restrictive markets in Canada and many US states?
To address these questions, we conduct national ‘population-based’ surveys annually in Canada and the United States (since 2018), Australia and New Zealand (since 2021), and the UK and Germany (since 2023). ICPS surveys provide a comprehensive assessment of cannabis prevalence and patterns of use, includes detailed patterns of consumption, purchasing, adverse outcomes, and attitudes and beliefs towards cannabis.
RESEARCH TEAM
The study is being led by Professor David Hammond at the University of Waterloo. The study is a collaboration of international researchers with expertise in the area of cannabis and substance use policy. The research team includes knowledge partners at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Health Canada, as well as a range of provincial and state public health and regulatory agencies.
IS THE STUDY ASSOCIATED WITH CANNABIS COMPANIES OR COMMERCIAL INTERESTS?
No. The study does not receive commercial funding and is not associated with the cannabis industry or commercial interests. We believe that research should be independent and free from conflicts of interest. Funding for the ICPS stud is provided by a research grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), with additional funding from non-profit public health and regulatory agencies in the different ICPS countries.
