BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In 2018, Canada became the second country to legalize non-medical cannabis on a national level. In Canada, the prevalence of cannabis use is higher in the three territories, Yukon, Northwest Territories (NWT), and Nunavut, compared to the 10 provinces. However, there are very little data to guide cannabis policy in the territories as most national health surveys have small sample sizes for the territories or do not collect data in the territories.
WHAT IS THE CANNABIS POLICY STUDY IN THE TERRITORIES?
The Cannabis Policy Study in the Territories is an annual study examining the impact of cannabis policies within each of the three territories in Canada, Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut. Repeat cross-sectional surveys are being conducted in 2022 and 2023 with individuals ages 16+ who both use and do not use cannabis.
In 2022, the final analytic sample included 2,462 respondents. The final 2023 survey will be conducted starting September 2023.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT
Overall, the primary purpose of this research is to provide decision makers in the three territories in Canada with ongoing feedback in the early stages of cannabis legalization, and evidence on the longer-term public health effects.
The 5 specific objectives of this study are to:
- Describe prevalence and patterns of non-medical cannabis use, including use among young adults, age of initiation, and levels of dependence;
- Examine the cannabis retail environment, including the extent to which consumers shift from illicit sources to legal retail sources, and the types of products used, including high potency products;
- Assess changes in problematic use and risk behaviours, including driving after cannabis use, use in high risk occupational settings, and co-use with other types of psychoactive substances (e.g., opioids, alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes);
- Examine changes in perceptions of risk and social norms; and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of specific regulatory policies, including consumer awareness and knowledge of product health warnings, exposure to cannabis marketing, exposure to public education campaigns, and cannabis use in public spaces and workplaces.
This research will provide important data to inform cannabis policy in the territories, including implications for elements of the retail market (e.g., public vs private sales), will provide data on whether specific socio-demographic subgroups (e.g., age, gender) are more aware of cannabis-related health risks or at risk for problematic cannabis use, and will provide evidence on the longer-term public health effects of cannabis legalization.
This research includes an integrated approach to knowledge sharing that engages local, territorial, and federal partners working in policy, practice, community, and research as well as Indigenous community leaders to promote the broadest possible uptake and application of the study findings.
