Legalizing cannabis edibles linked to increased adolescent use in Canada
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Manitoba and Memorial University of Newfoundland revealed that the legalization of youth-oriented cannabis edibles and extracts in Canada has led to an increase in cannabis use among adolescents during specific study periods.
In October 2018, Canada legalized the sale of dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil to individuals above a legal minimum age of 18 or 19 years, depending on the province. A year later, cannabis edibles and extracts, including cannabis-infused chocolates, candies, desserts, and vaping oils, became legal in all provinces except Quebec. These products were considered more appealing to adolescents than dried cannabis.
However, Quebec maintained a ban on youth-friendly cannabis edibles and vaping products due to concerns about accidental poisoning and the normalization of cannabis use. Some Atlantic provinces also restricted cannabis vaping products.
Health officials expressed concerns that the legalization of these products could potentially increase adolescent cannabis use, change modes of consumption, reduce perceptions of risk, and encourage the co-use of alcohol. While existing research has not definitively established evidence on these potential effects, a recent study titled “Legalizing Youth-Friendly Cannabis Edibles and Extracts and Adolescent Cannabis Use” published in JAMA Network Open aimed to investigate changes in adolescent cannabis use and perceptions of cannabis harm associated with the legalization of youth-friendly cannabis edibles and extracts in Canada.
The study analyzed surveys from a cohort of 106,032 students in grades 7 to 11 who participated in the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Surveys during the 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 cycles. Researchers compared changes in cannabis-related outcomes in provinces that legalized cannabis edibles and extracts with changes in Quebec, where such products remained banned. The analyses controlled for student grade, sex or gender, urban versus rural residence, province, and survey year.
The results showed that twelve-month cannabis use among adolescents increased from 14.6% to 15.9% in provinces that legalized cannabis edibles and extracts, while it declined from 17.4% to 15.6% in Quebec. Edible cannabis use rose from 7.9% to 9.5% in legalization provinces and decreased from 7.3% to 5.9% in Quebec. Cannabis smoking increased in legalization provinces and decreased in Quebec, while cannabis vaping increased in both groups.
The study also found that legalization was associated with a lower perception of harm from occasional cannabis use among adolescents. The likelihood that adolescents perceived moderate or great harm from occasional cannabis smoking decreased, as did the perceived harm from other modes of cannabis intake. However, no changes were observed in perceptions of harm from regular cannabis use.
Regression analysis showed a larger increase in cannabis use when considering the reduction observed in Quebec, resulting in a net 3.8 percentage point increase in cannabis use after accounting for the reductions in Quebec. Edible cannabis use, cannabis smoking, and co-use of cannabis and alcohol also showed significant increases in provinces that legalized cannabis edibles and extracts.
The authors of the study emphasized that these findings reflect associations rather than causation and should be interpreted as net effects relative to declining rates in Quebec. While the study controlled for key demographic and provincial factors, it was limited to one post-legalization survey cycle and relied on self-reported data. The researchers concluded that further policy measures may be necessary to reduce adolescent access to cannabis edibles and extracts.
In conclusion, the legalization of youth-oriented cannabis edibles and extracts in Canada has been linked to an increase in overall cannabis use among adolescents, as well as higher rates of edible consumption, cannabis smoking, and co-use of cannabis and alcohol. These findings underscore the need for ongoing research and potential policy adjustments to address the impact of cannabis legalization on adolescent substance use.
