Teen Cannabis Use is on the Decline, While Adult Use is Increasing Overall: StatsCan

Article by Emma Spears, Growth Op

Legalization seems to have put a damper on teens’ enthusiasm for cannabis consumption, perhaps indicating yet again that the best way to discourage teens from doing something is to get their parents into it.

While cannabis use has increased in almost all age demographics across Canada since federal legalization came into force in October 2018, teenagers saw consumption decline, according to new numbers released by Statistics Canada.

Pre-legalization, the number of teens aged 15 to 17 who reported having consumed cannabis over the past three months was just under 20 percent. Post-legalization, that number has dropped to just over 10 percent.

That said, the rates of daily or almost-daily consumption by 15- to 17-year-olds was deemed “too unreliable to be published.”

A larger group of 15- to 24-year-olds also showed slightly declining rates of use, although they largely remained steady. Approximately 27.6 percent reported using cannabis within the past three months pre-legalization; post-legalization, that number had declined to 26.4 percent.

Youth aside, all other age demographics demonstrated increased cannabis use since legalization. The most dramatic bump was among 25- to 44-year-olds, who reported a 3.2 percent increase post-legalization, followed by 18- to 24-year-olds, who reported a 2.5 percent increase.

Read the full article here.