Prevalence of Marijuana Use in Canada

"Cannabis was legalized and regulated in 2018, and has remained the most used drug in Canada.

"In 2019, the prevalence of past-year cannabis use (for medical or non-medical purposes) was 21% (6.4 million), an increase compared to 2017 (15% or 4.4 million), and compared to 2015 (12% or 3.6 million). In 2019, past-year cannabis use was more prevalent among males (23% or 3.5 million) than females (19% or 2.9 million), which is consistent with previous cycles. The prevalence of past-year cannabis use among males and females increased from 2017 (19% and 11%, respectively). Table 4 presents past-year cannabis use among Canadians since 2008.

"Provincial prevalence of past-year cannabis use ranged from 18% (1.2 million) in Quebec to 33% (269,000) in Nova Scotia. Table 5 presents cannabis use by province since 2013.

"Past-year use of cannabis was more prevalent among young adults aged 20 to 24 (45% or 1 million) than among youth aged 15 to 19 (22% or 468,000) and adults aged 25 years and older (19% or 4.9 million). Past-year use of cannabis among young adults aged 20 to 24 and adults aged 25 years and older increased from 2017 (33% and 13%, respectively), whereas there was no change among youth aged 15 to 19 (19%). The mean age of initiating use of cannabis was 19 years old for both males and females, unchanged from 2017 (18 years for males and 19 years for females).

"Among people who have used cannabis in the past year, 36% (or 2.3 million) reported using it for medical purposes, unchanged from 2017 (37% or 1.6 million). Canadians reported using cannabis for medical reasons to treat a variety of conditions. The main medical conditions for which Canadians used cannabis for medical purposes were anxiety (33% or 641,000), arthritis (21% or 416,000), depression (8% or 156,000), and other medical conditions (32% or 623,000). Canadians also reported using cannabis for the following medical conditions: spinal cord injuries, irritable bowel syndrome or other inflammatory bowel disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and multiple sclerosis (all 2% or under). The survey does not collect information on how people obtained the cannabis for medical purposes."