Prelegalisation patterns and trends of cannabis use among Canadian youth: results from the COMPASS prospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveCanada federally legalised recreational cannabis use among adults in October 2018. The impact this will have on Canadian youth is cause for concern. The current study examined changes in youth cannabis use over the time prior to legalisation to explore the impact of the beginning federal discourse around legalisation during the 2016/2017 school year.DesignCOMPASS, a prospective cohort study based on annual self-administered questionnaires.SettingOntario and Alberta during the first 6 years of the COMPASS study (2012/2013 to 2017/2018).ParticipantsCanadian grade 9–12 students attending secondary schools participating in COMPASS. In total, 2 30 404 questionnaires were included in the analysis (Y1: 2012/2013, n=24 173; Y2: 2013/2014, n=45 298; Y3: 2014/2015, n=42 355, Y4: 2015/2016, n=40 436; Y5: 2016/2017, n=37 060; Y6: 2017/2018, n=34 897).Primary and secondary outcome measuresLifetime cannabis use, past-year cannabis use, weekly cannabis use, ease of access to cannabis and age at first cannabis use.ResultsCannabis never-use decreased between Y5 and Y6. Changes in age at first cannabis use mirrored this trend, with male students consistently starting younger. Cannabis access rates increased from Y4, mainly led by female students. Lifetime and past-year use rates were lowest in Y4 then increased in Y5 and Y6 due to a rise in the occasional use more common among female students, who reported use increases first. Non-white students were more likely use cannabis, with black and Aboriginal students the only two groups consistently reporting more weekly than occasional use, though with opposing trajectories. Overall, Aboriginal students had the highest odds of reporting lifetime, past-year and weekly use among the demographic groups examined.ConclusionAfter a steady decrease in patterns of cannabis among youth over several years, it appears that there has been a gradual increase in cannabis use among youth following the start of discourse around cannabis legalisation, with some populations of youth being at greater risk.

Trends and correlates of cannabis use in Canada: a repeated cross-sectional analysis of national surveys from 2004 to 2017

“…3,24 Data from the COMPASS study among grade 9-12 students in Ontario and Alberta suggest a slight increase in cannabis use between 2016 and 2018. 26 However, the use of a convenience sample makes these results less generalizable. Previous reports of national trends in cannabis use are consistent with our results by age, sex and province, 24,25 although data on educa-tion and pregnancy have not been previously reported.…”

“…Contemporary national data on cannabis consumption in Canada since legalization is limited and mainly presented in aggregate form. 3,[24][25][26][27][28] Data are available on youth prevalence, [26][27][28] and 2 studies have included provincial differences in cannabis use across Canada. 3,24 Data from the COMPASS study among grade 9-12 students in Ontario and Alberta suggest a slight increase in cannabis use between 2016 and 2018.…”

Recreational Cannabis Legalization in the US and Maternal Use during the Preconception, Prenatal, and Postpartum Periods

“…As this paper did not aim to examine impact of legalization, but rather associations, prospective research is needed. There are several ongoing cohort studies in the Netherlands [49] and Canada [50], which examine maternal cannabis use, as well as the impact of recreational cannabis legalization on adolescent behaviors [51]. Although these cohort studies will address significant gaps in the research, there is a need for similar prospective, population-based studies relating to maternal cannabis use and associated maternal and child health outcomes in the US.…”

Cannabis cessation among youth: rates, patterns and academic outcomes in a large prospective cohort of Canadian high school students

“…Canadian youth use cannabis at the highest rates globally, and this usage may be becoming more prevalent still. [1][2][3] High frequency and early age of initiation of cannabis use have been reliably linked to adverse outcomes in youth, including poor programs with these trends, increasing their likelihood of success.…”