In 2022, 27% of Canadian consumers who were surveyed by Statistics Canada said that they had consumed cannabis within the last year. That means that out of nearly 40 million Canadians in total, nearly 11 million use cannabis or have used cannabis within the last 12 months.
Which age group smokes cannabis the most?
The survey for 2022 done by Statistics Canada showed that 20-24 year olds have the highest use of cannabis, with 50% of the age group stating that they had used cannabis within the last year. Surprisingly, (or unsurprisingly, depending on your perspective) the next highest percentage of cannabis use was in 16-19 year olds, with 37% of the age group stating they had used cannabis within the previous 12 months.
For some reason, the data collected separates age groups into 16-19, 20-24 and then 25+ years of age. So we’ll never know (from Statistics Canada, at least) if Baby Boomers or Millenials smoke more flower in Canada. There is likely more variation between metropolitan and rural communities than between age groups or provinces in terms of these statistics.
Do happier Canadians smoke more or less weed than other Canadians?
In the 2022 Cannabis Survey, participants were asked to rate their physical and mental health on a scale from excellent to poor, with three levels between those two extremes. People who rated their physical health on the bottom three levels (good, fair, poor) used more cannabis than those who reported having very good or excellent physical health. It was similarly true for mental health ratings, with those who had the lowest mental health self-assessment having also the highest cannabis usage.
It is definitely worth considering the possible living situations of Canadians who rate their physical and mental health as poor. Although money doesn’t buy happiness, we do know that poverty does increase the likelihood of negative life experiences and stress that lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. Perhaps then, we can read this statistic as showing that those who live in more stressful situations are more likely to use cannabis in order to relax than those who do not.
What was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cannabis use?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in cannabis use seem to mostly affect younger age groups. 40% and 36% of those aged 16-19 and 20-24 respectively increased their cannabis use due to COVID-19.
There were many common experiences during the height of the pandemic that led to increased cannabis usage, including stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, and a lack of a regular schedule.
How do people consume cannabis in Canada?
By far the most common way of consuming cannabis in Canada is through smoking flower. When cannabis users were asked about their methods of consumption, 70% said that they smoked cannabis in joints or other smoking apparatuses. The next most common method is eating edibles, with 52% of cannabis users reporting that they consumed cannabis in this way.
Interestingly, the two least common forms of cannabis consumption are from either extreme end in terms of providing a “high” feeling. 7% of users apply cannabis products to their skin, via creams or other skincare products. 6% of users dab, using dabbing tools.
Who grows the most weed in Canada?
In all of Canada, only 6% of people have grown cannabis in or around their home. Of the people who grow cannabis, 20% have authorization to grow for medicinal purposes for themselves or another person, and the average number of plants that they grow is 3.5.
As far as the number of total plants, Ontario and British Columbia have the highest numbers in Canada. The former grows the largest area of licensed cannabis under cover, while the latter grows the largest area of licensed cannabis in open fields.
What province smokes the most weed in Canada?
Some people might assume that British Columbia smokes the most cannabis per capita because of the reputation of “BC Bud.” While there is definitely a large portion of the population in the province that smokes weed every day, there is also still an older and more conservative leaning population, particularly in rural areas. BC is also a relatively large province with few urban centers in which people have easy access to recreational cannabis. According to data from 2017, British Columbia produces the most cannabis products, but they do not consume those products themselves.
In fact, the province that consumes the most cannabis per capita is Nova Scotia. More than 27% of people who live in Nova Scotia use cannabis, compared to 25% in BC. So if you’re looking to hang out with some stoners in Canada, heading to the Maritimes may be the way to go!
