At-risk cannabis users in Quebec were just as likely to buy from government stores as lower-risk users, and government store customers were four times more likely to know their product's cannabinoid content.
Read this if you are interested in cannabis legalization models and whether government regulation reaches the populations that need it most.
4.12xSQDC consumers were 4x more likely to know their product's cannabinoid content vs other sources
What the researchers found
In a representative survey of 1,799 Quebec adults, SQDC (government store) consumers (47.8%) and those buying elsewhere (52.2%) had similar vulnerability profiles across six of seven indicators: frequency of use, motivation, concurrent substance use, impaired driving, psychological distress, and problematic cannabis use. The key difference was that SQDC consumers were 4.12 times more likely to know the cannabinoid content of their product (p=0.04 in unadjusted analysis).
Why it matters
A major goal of cannabis legalization is harm reduction by redirecting users from the illegal market to a regulated supply. This study provides evidence that Quebec's public monopoly model is reaching at-risk users, not just casual consumers, and is providing better product information.
The numbers in context
- 1,799 survey respondents (representative population, age 18+)
- 47.8% SQDC consumers vs 52.2% other sources
- SQDC consumers 4.12x more likely to know cannabinoid content (95% CI: 1.10-15.40)
- No significant differences in 6 of 7 vulnerability indicators
- Survey conducted February-June 2019
How the study worked
Cross-sectional representative population survey (Enquête Québécoise sur le Cannabis) conducted February-June 2019. Adjusted binary logistic regressions incorporating population weights assessed seven potential harm indicators.
Who was studied
1,799 Quebec adults (representative population survey, age 18+)
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design captures only a snapshot. Self-reported data may underestimate risky behaviors. Survey conducted within the first year of legalization — patterns may have shifted. Knowing cannabinoid content does not necessarily translate to safer use.
How to read the evidence
Representative population survey with appropriate statistical methods. Provides good population-level evidence but limited by cross-sectional design.
When this study was published
Published in 2023 using 2019 survey data. Early post-legalization snapshot of Quebec's public monopoly model.
The bigger picture
Different jurisdictions have adopted different legalization models (private retail, government monopoly, mixed). Quebec's public monopoly approach appears to be successfully reaching higher-risk users, which is essential for achieving the public health goals of legalization.
Questions still open
- Does knowing cannabinoid content actually lead to safer consumption choices?
- How have SQDC purchasing patterns changed since 2019 as the legal market matures?
- Would similar results be found in provinces with private retail models?
Read the original research
Association Between Markers of Vulnerability for Cannabis-Related Harms and Source of Supply: Secondary Analysis of a Representative Population Survey.
Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 68(2), 109-118
Citation
Drouin, Sarah; Rizkallah, Élie; Conus, Florence; Larney, Sarah; Kaur, Navdeep; Djignefa Djade, Codjo; Jutras-Aswad, Didier. (2023). Association Between Markers of Vulnerability for Cannabis-Related Harms and Source of Supply: Secondary Analysis of a Representative Population Survey.. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 68(2), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437221128470