Cannabis survey carried out by Health Canada shows that smoking is the most favourable form of consumption

BY STEVEN KASZAB

More Canadians are choosing legal forms of cannabis than previously, from 52% to 61% reported last year. The 2022 Cannabis survey carried out by Health Canada has shown that smoking is the most favourable form of consumption, but the number of people choosing to use vape pens is increasing.

The study was carried out from April to June 2022 and offers insights into Canadians: knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on cannabis use.

Over the previous 12 months, cannabis use among youth 16-19 returned to pre-legalization levels in 2021-2022, after increasing 2018-2020.

The proportions of those who use cannabis daily have been stable since 2018, including among youth 16-19.

Smoking cannabis has continually declined, while vaporizing cannabis using a pen has increased since 2021. Smoking remains the favoured choice, followed by consuming edibles.

More respondents reported using legal sources compared to 2021. 61% of those using cannabis over the past 12 months reported using legal store fronts, up from 52% in 2021. The portion of the population using illegal sources has declined between 2018-2021, remaining the same in 2022.

More than a quarter of those that use cannabis use it for medical purposes, with a medical document from their healthcare professional.

A futuristic problem has risen with regards to the use of vape pens, and vaping cannabis. Vaping associated lung diseases have become issues for the healthcare sector. E cigarettes and vaping of sourced materials is a constant problem for both healthcare and policing authorities.

Fentanyl laced products has shown its ugly face throughout Canada and the USA. While very small portions of cannabis users have become addicted, the level of addiction is increasing each year. The very process of vaping can create conditions that erode a user’s lung tissue, manipulating the user’s heartbeat and blood pressure. The legalization of cannabis has not been a bed of roses, but a serious challenge to many population sectors, both urban and rural alike.

The demand for more addiction services continues to increase. A drug is a drug they say, and the pusher man has continued to evolve into a public seller, manager and promoter of this cannabis material, protected by a public authority.