The Impact of Cannabis Legalization in Canada on Adolescents’ Perceptions

Abstract

Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada in October 2018, research has not reached a clear conclusion on how legalization impacts adolescents’ perceptions of the substance. This study sought to examine how the nationwide legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada impacted youth opinions of legalization. Surveys were administered to 398 Grade 8 students in May 2017 (pre-legalization) and 377 Grade 8 students in December 2018 (post-legalization). Participants completed an open-ended question regarding their opinion on cannabis legalization and a ranking of whether legalization of cannabis was very good (1), good (2), bad (3), or very bad (4). Analyses revealed that young adolescents primarily hold negative views toward cannabis legalization. No significant difference existed between theme frequencies or ratings when comparing responses prior to and following legalization. These results suggest that legalization of recreational cannabis use in Canada had little effect on youth perceptions of cannabis legalization.

Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in the Cannabis Industry

“…These findings support the argument that cannabis legalization can serve as a social change agent, potentially transforming local economies and community health (Wadsworth et al, 2022). However, as Robinson et al (2020) highlight, the impact on societal perceptions, especially among adolescents, requires careful management to mitigate adverse outcomes (Robinson et al, 2020). The results of this study align closely with existing research, underscoring the complexity and dynamic nature of cannabis regulation.…”

“…he legalization of cannabis has emerged as a significant global phenomenon, eliciting a range of regulatory responses aimed at navigating the complex socio-economic and public health landscapes. As various jurisdictions endeavor to craft policies that protect public health while curbing illegal markets, understanding the multifaceted impacts of these regulatory frameworks becomes essential (Aaronson & Rothschild-Elyassi, 2021;Adams et al, 2021;Amroussia et al, 2020;Borodovsky et al, 2021;Hall & Lynskey, 2020;Robinson et al, 2020;Rosic et al, 2021;Wadsworth et al, 2022). The evolution of cannabis regulation presents a unique case study in regulatory science, a discipline that seeks to optimize policy outcomes through evidence-based strategies and systematic analysis.…”

“…As described by Wadsworth et al (2022), consumer perceptions in Canada reflect a broad acceptance and normalization of cannabis products within the legal framework, which can have profound economic benefits in terms of job creation and tax revenue (Wadsworth et al, 2022). However, this shift also necessitates robust regulatory mechanisms to manage the potential increase in cannabis use and associated risks, as discussed by Robinson et al (2020) regarding the impact on adolescent perceptions in Canada (Robinson et al, 2020). The need for a balanced regulatory approach is further complicated by the international context, where countries like those in Africa face unique challenges that require tailored solutions (Norman, 2023).…”

Understanding youth and young adult cannabis use in Canada post-legalization: a scoping review on a public health issue

“…Across the 47 studies, 21 (44.68%) had participants aged 18 or younger [ 55 , 60 , 62 – 72 , 77 , 78 , 86 , 90 , 92 – 95 ], seven studies (14.89%) had samples of young adults aged 18–29 [ 17 , 20 , 54 , 57 , 61 , 73 , 88 ], and eleven studies (23.40%) included both youth and young adult participants aged 0–29 [ 4 , 15 , 76 , 79 – 82 , 85 , 87 , 89 , 91 ]. The remaining eight studies (17.02%) did not focus specifically on youth or young adults but included subgroups or presented results for younger age groups [ 53 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 74 , 75 , 83 , 84 ].…”

“…The third category, consisting of nine studies, specifically focused on cannabis use rates and patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 17 , 20 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 66 , 71 , 78 , 89 ]. The fourth category, includes nine articles exploring perceptions related to cannabis use: four focus on youth and young adult perceptions post-legalization [ 57 , 73 , 90 , 94 ] one examines perceptions of substance use services [ 91 ] and another explores perceptions of cannabis policies and penalties related to immigrants and prejudices [ 54 ].…”