A Comparative Study of Cannabis: Legalization Support and Usage Rates in the United States and Canada, Revealing Consistency Amidst Divergent National Policies

A recent survey, featured in the prestigious Journal of Cannabis Research, offers valuable insights into the prevailing attitudes and behaviors concerning cannabis in both the United States and Canada. This comprehensive research endeavor has brought to light an overwhelming consensus in favor of the legalization of cannabis among respondents from these two North American nations. Notably, the survey also uncovers a significant segment of the population in both countries who openly acknowledge their engagement with cannabis, thereby enriching our comprehension of practices related to this substance.

The research, encapsulated within an eight-page scholarly publication titled “Comparison of perceptions in Canada and USA regarding cannabis and edibles,” represents a meticulous examination of data sourced from surveys administered to 1,047 Canadian residents and 1,037 residents of the United States. This extensive and rigorous dataset has empowered a distinguished team of four researchers to formulate astute conclusions across four overarching thematic dimensions: “acceptance and consumption,” “normalization,” “edibles,” and “education.”

One of the most noteworthy revelations stemming from this survey lies in the remarkable parity observed in cannabis consumption rates between American and Canadian respondents. Approximately 45 percent of Canadians and 42 percent of Americans candidly disclosed their participation in cannabis consumption. An even more intriguing subtlety emerges when scrutinizing the frequency of cannabis use. In the United States, roughly one in three cannabis consumers attest to daily consumption, whereas in Canada, this figure stands at about one in four. These findings underscore a shared propensity for regular cannabis use transcending national borders.

It is essential to underscore a significant observation delineated within the report. Namely, consumers in the United States appear to exhibit a lesser inclination to procure cannabis from legal sources in comparison to their Canadian counterparts. This disparity is attributed to the prevailing legal framework, wherein a majority of U.S. states uphold prohibitions on the adult use of cannabis. Consequently, this restrictive legal milieu is posited as a factor motivating a segment of recreational consumers in the United States to seek cannabis products from illicit channels.

Furthermore, the survey extends its inquiry to encompass attitudes about the legalization of cannabis, thereby shedding light on a uniformity of perspectives among respondents in both countries. An impressive 78 percent of Canadian respondents and 75 percent of their American counterparts expressed either agreement or strong agreement with the proposition of legalizing cannabis. This convergence of viewpoints underscores a shared consensus advocating for the broader legalization of cannabis.

A deeper dive into the realm of local regulation reveals a noteworthy shift in attitudes among Canadians. A majority, comprising 56 percent of respondents, expressed either agreement or strong agreement with the notion that municipal authorities should not wield the power to prohibit the retail sale of cannabis within their jurisdictions. This marked transformation in sentiment stands in stark contrast to the prevailing views before the legalization of cannabis, signifying an evolving perspective on the role of local governance in overseeing cannabis-related matters.

In contrast, within the United States, a minority of respondents opposed the authority of local entities to impose bans on retail cannabis, with 44 percent expressing support for the notion that such bans should not be permitted. This divergence of opinion regarding local regulation introduces nuanced complexities into the broader discourse surrounding cannabis governance.

In summation, the findings emanating from this survey strongly suggest that consumers across North America are progressively embracing a normalized perspective on cannabis. However, transcending the realm of regulatory considerations, the survey accentuates a pivotal impediment to further advancement—the imperative need for heightened awareness and comprehension of cannabis among the general populace. As cogently articulated in the report, there exists a palpable desire, and indeed an exigency, for individuals, whether they are seasoned cannabis consumers or merely inquisitive, to deepen their understanding of the plant and its phytochemical attributes, with an eye toward the potential benefits it may confer upon physical and mental well-being. This underscores the paramount importance of educational initiatives and awareness campaigns in shaping the trajectory of cannabis utilization in North America.

Changing Attitudes and Preferences in North American Cannabis Culture

The findings brought to light by this study pose a significant challenge to the conventional belief that a nation’s transformation in broader societal perception necessitates the enactment of federal legalization of a certain substance. An intriguing paradox becomes apparent when considering that Canada embarked on nationwide legalization of a specific product in 2018, while the United States still classifies this substance within its most restricted category.

Nevertheless, the perceptive researchers affiliated with this investigation have astutely noted that Canadians exhibit a more relaxed disposition compared to their American counterparts regarding the public acknowledgment of their engagement in particular consumption practices. This ease extends to their attitudes, which have evolved, toward the act of publicly acknowledging their consumption. The findings reveal a noteworthy decrease in the number of Canadians expressing apprehension about others being aware of their usage or displaying significant concern regarding the habits of their peers, compared to the initial period when the aforementioned substance was first legalized in October 2018.

Furthermore, as we delve deeper into the realm of preferred products, it becomes evident that a certain category reigns supreme as the most favored format in both countries. Nearly half of consumers in the United States (47.4 percent) and Canada (45.2 percent) unequivocally endorse this traditional form of the product. Following closely in popularity are consumable items and beverages within the same category, securing the second-most favored status among consumers in both nations.

Additionally, the survey sheds light on distinctions in consumer preferences regarding other related formats. In one country, a significant 22 percent of consumers express a preference for these formats, whereas the corresponding figure in the other country stands at 8.7 percent. Conversely, consumers in the latter country exhibit a predilection for concentrates suitable for a particular method of consumption, accounting for 8.9 percent, in contrast to 7.2 percent of consumers favoring this category in the former country. Interestingly, another category of related products, such as hash and shatter, occupies the lowest rung of popularity among the specified product types, constituting a mere 1.8 percent in one country and 1.4 percent in the other.

The investigation delves into an intriguing facet of the study, revealing a subset of consumers in both countries who escalated their consumption during challenging times. A discerning 14 percent of consumers in one country and 16 percent in the other candidly reported an upsurge in their utilization.

As an integral component of the survey, administered in the midstream of a certain year, participants were directly queried regarding their intentions to augment their consumption of a particular category of consumable items. The survey findings indicate that respondents harbor intentions to increase their usage of this category, which has garnered a burgeoning level of interest. To be precise, 21 percent of consumers in one country expressed their intent to procure a greater quantity of these items, while 13 percent of their counterparts in the other country shared a similar inclination.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that just under 3 in 10 consumers in both countries avow their non-usage of these items, underscoring the diversified preferences and practices within the consumer base.

The authors spearheading this insightful study hail from a spectrum of esteemed institutions, and their collaborative effort has culminated in a scholarly exploration that adds valuable dimensions to our comprehension of dynamics related to this product in North America.

Recent Studies Shed Light on Teen Substance Use Trends Amid Legalization

Yet another recent and noteworthy study originating from Canada has illuminated a compelling trend. This particular study delves into the perceptions and behaviors of high school students regarding accessibility to a specific substance, revealing a substantial shift in recent years. It is worth noting that this transformation coincided with the proliferation of legal retail sales locations for this product across the nation.

Simultaneously, an American study, conducted under the auspices of the University of Michigan and generously funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has presented its intriguing findings. This study, of paramount importance, revolves around the critical issue of teen consumption of a certain substance and its potential correlation with the legalization of this product in various states.

The comprehensive report stemming from this American study has unearthed compelling data indicating that teen usage of this substance experienced minimal alterations in the aftermath of the legalization of this product within certain states. An important facet of this finding is that it applies to adolescents in various grade levels, providing a thorough examination of the demographic.

One striking revelation encapsulated within this report pertains to the rates of past-year use of this substance, a pivotal metric in understanding the evolving landscape of consumption among teenagers. Astonishingly, these rates have remained remarkably stable across all three grades included in the survey. Moreover, it is essential to emphasize that these rates have consistently remained below the levels observed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the concurrent expansion and opening of markets for this product within various states.

These comprehensive studies come at a time when the academic community has experienced a substantial surge in research endeavors focused on topics related to this specific product. This surge is exemplified by a recent analysis conducted by NORML, a prominent advocate for policy reform in this area. Their analysis reveals an astonishing statistic: researchers have collectively published an impressive 32,000 scientific papers on the subject of this product over the past decade. This extensive body of research includes an astounding 4,000 papers published in the year 2023 alone, underscoring the growing interest and importance of research related to this specific product in contemporary academia.