Cannabis Use, Increased Cannabis Use, and Cannabis Use Frequency in the Context of the Novel Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in Canada (May 2020 to March 2021)

ABSTRACT

Objectives:Trends in the extent of cannabis use in the total population and increased cannabis use and number of days of cannabis use among those who used cannabis were characterized over an 11-month period during the novel coronavirus disease pandemic in Canada.Methods:Data were obtained from a national web-based, cross-sectional survey of adults who spoke English and resided in Canada, which was repeated at seven time points between May 8, 2020 and March 23, 2021 (n = 7021). Participants provided self reports of cannabis use, increased cannabis use, and number of days of cannabis use. For outcomes where a significant trend was observed, changes within demographic subgroups were further explored to identify differential patterns of change. Trends were assessed using Cochrane Armitage Test and Kruskal-Wallis Test.Results:Cannabis use rose from 11.5% at Wave 1 to 14.1% at Wave 7 (P = 0.017). A similar trend within demographic subgroups was not observed, suggesting an absence of differential patterns of change. No changes were found among those who used cannabis in regards to increased cannabis use since before the pandemic (55.7% at Wave 1 to 49.7% at Wave 7;P = 0.614) and the number of days of cannabis use (4.0 days at Wave 1 to 4.0 days at Wave 7;P = 0.878).Conclusions:Given that more people reported cannabis use, and about half of those who used cannabis increased cannabis use, evidence-based policies and interventions are needed to ensure minimal transition to near daily or daily cannabis use.