Canadian service providers report that youth cannabis use patterns have shifted since legalization, with concerns that access reduction goals have not been fully met.
Public health policymakers, youth service workers, cannabis regulators, and parents.
No youth declineCannabis use rates among Canadian youth aged 16-24 have not declined since 2018 legalization
What the researchers found
Service providers perceived that cannabis legalization in Canada has not fully achieved its goal of reducing youth access and use, with rates among 16-24 year olds not declining as intended.
Why it matters
Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018 specifically to protect youth, making it crucial to assess whether this policy objective is being met through the perspectives of those working directly with young people.
The numbers in context
Youth cannabis use rates among ages 16-24 have not declined following Canadas 2018 legalization of recreational cannabis use.
How the study worked
Qualitative study collecting perceptions, practices, and recommendations from service providers working with youth in the cannabis space.
Who was studied
Service providers working with Canadian youth aged 16-24 in the post-legalization context.
What this study cannot tell us
Service provider perceptions may not fully represent actual use patterns; qualitative data cannot quantify prevalence changes; regional variation in implementation may affect findings.
How to read the evidence
Qualitative study providing stakeholder perspectives; valuable context but not quantitative evidence of use patterns.
When this study was published
Timely post-legalization assessment reflecting early years of Canadas cannabis policy.
The bigger picture
This research contributes to the ongoing evaluation of cannabis legalization policies worldwide, providing ground-level insights that complement epidemiological data on youth use trends.
Replication
Findings align with epidemiological data showing stable or slightly increased youth cannabis use post-legalization in Canada.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- What specific policy adjustments could better protect youth?
- How do youth perceive cannabis risk differently post-legalization?
- Are there regional differences in post-legalization youth use patterns?
Read the original research
Youth cannabis use in Canada post-legalization: service providers' perceptions, practices, and recommendations.
Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 18(1), 36
Citation
Kourgiantakis, Toula; Lee, Eunjung; Kosar, A Kumsal Tekirdag; Tait, Christine; Lau, Carrie K Y; McNeil, Sandra; Craig, Shelley; Ashcroft, Rachelle; Williams, Charmaine C; Goldstein, Abby L; Chandrasekera, Uppala; Sur, Deepy; Henderson, J L. (2023). Youth cannabis use in Canada post-legalization: service providers' perceptions, practices, and recommendations.. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 18(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-023-00550-1