Baseline Survey on Awareness, Knowledge and Behaviour Associated with Recreational Use of Marijuana - Final Report

PWGSC Contract: #EP363-090027/011/CY
POR Registration: POR-046-15
HC-POR 15-05
Contract Award Date: 16/03/2016

Submitted to:
Health Canada
por-rop@hc-sc.gc.ca
Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC.
September 2, 2016

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Background
    • 1.2 Methodology
    • 1.3 Note to Readers
    • 1.4 Sample Characteristics
  • 2. Findings
    • 2.1 Knowledge of Marijuana
    • 2.2 Perceived Health Risks of Marijuana
    • 2.3 Reported Behaviour
    • 2.4 Perceptions of Parents
    • 2.5 Information on Marijuana
    • 2.6 Discussions with Youth/Parents
• Appendix A: Survey Instrument (English)
• Appendix B: Response Rate Table (Telephone sample)

This certification is to be submitted with the final report submitted to the Project Authority.

I hereby certify as Senior Office of EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC. that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leader.

Signed:

Susan Galley, Senior Vice President
      EKOS Research Associates Inc.

Executive Summary

Research Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the research was to learn more about public awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to marijuana, both in terms of the impacts that marijuana use has on health and the risks to public safety that use poses, such as driving while impaired. Respondents in the survey were told that the focus of the survey was on marijuana used for “recreational” rather than for medicinal purposes. The research was also designed to establish a baseline for the general population aged 13+ with regard to their current state of awareness, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours with respect to the risks and harms of marijuana use.

Methodology

A national online/telephone survey was conducted with 2,201 Canadians 13 years of age or older. The sample included three targeted segments: youth aged 13-18 (n=287), young adults aged 19-24 (n=372), and parents of youth aged 13-18 (n=532). The survey was conducted in late May and early June with a participation rate of 20 per cent (which is a typical response rate for this kind of survey). An oversample was collected in each of these three segments to ensure sufficient cases in the analysis of results for each individual group. Weighting was applied to the sample to ensure that the total sample of 2,201 reflects the characteristics of the general public by region, age, gender and parental status.

Knowledge Regarding Marijuana

Most Canadians understand how marijuana can be consumed, citing at least one or several methods of consumption. Smoking marijuana in a joint (33 per cent), general mention of smoking it (52 per cent), or eating it (69 per cent) are reported most often. Results are similar for the three target groups, although youth (i.e., those between 13 and 18) are less familiar with eating as a method of consumption. In terms of understanding of risk, two in three Canadians (65 per cent) are aware that some methods of using marijuana are more harmful to health than other ways. This understanding is higher among parents of youth (70 per cent), but lower among youth (52 per cent).

In terms of overall awareness, the large majority of Canadians are also aware that the drug is not currently legal (86 per cent), and results are similar across the target groups. In terms of risk assessment, the same proportion understands that it impairs one’s ability to drive, although young adults (i.e., those between the ages of 19 and 24) are less apt to agree with this risk assessment (77 per cent). In terms of specifics, when asked when is it safe for someone to drive a vehicle after using marijuana, more than one in three young adults cited “a couple of hours or less” (24 per cent), or “whenever the person feels the effect is gone” (15 per cent).

Perceived Acceptability and Risk

Just under half (48 per cent) agreed that marijuana use is socially acceptable, although 32 per cent disagreed. Acceptance is greatest among young adults (53 per cent) and lowest among teens under 16 (19 per cent). Seven in ten (69 per cent) also agree that it is something that youth and young adults will try, although youth themselves, particularly those under 16 are much less likely to agree (30 per cent).

While 41 per cent of Canadians see marijuana as a high health risk, 49 per cent see alcohol and 92 per cent see cigarette smoking as a high health risk. Young adults are even less likely to see marijuana as a health risk (27 per cent). In fact, 40 per cent of young adults consider the risk to be low, while only 14 per cent consider alcohol to be low risk, and only six per cent consider smoking cigarettes to be low risk. More than one in three youth (35 per cent) also rated the risk of marijuana as low (24 per cent among those under 16, and 38 per cent among those 16 to 18).

Those who have tried marijuana, and even more so, those who have used it in the last 12 months, are more likely to see the drug as socially acceptable (and that young people will try it), and less likely to see the risks. Since use of marijuana is strongly correlated with age and the greatest prevalence of use is between 19 and 45, there are strong patterns of responses associated with age.

Regarding the variation in risk to different age groups, there is largely universal agreement that it is harmful to teens (89 per cent), however, only 63 per cent see it as harmful to young adults (19 to 24), and this is lower among respondents in this age cohort (53 per cent). Just under half (48 per cent) see it as harmful to adults. The impact of marijuana on a range of skills is seen as harmful among 43 to 60 per cent of Canadians, but sizable proportions see it as having no impact, or even a positive influence. Marijuana is least apt to be judged as harmful to relationships with family and friends (43 per cent), mental health and physical health (47 per cent in each case). The drug is somewhat more apt to be seen as a threat to performance at school and attention and memory (according to approximately 60 per cent of Canadians). In each case, parents of youth, and youth themselves are more apt to see the drug as harmful. Younger teens under 16 are particularly likely to see marijuana as harmful, and there is a 10+ point gap between those under and over 16. The impact on addiction is seen as fairly likely with frequent (i.e., daily or almost daily) use according to 58 per cent of Canadians, but only 20 per cent see occasional use (less than weekly) as a threat. Youth, particularly those under 16, and their parents are more likely to see marijuana use leading to addiction (49 per cent of younger teens see even occasional use as likely to lead to addiction, and 80 per cent of younger teens and 73 per cent of parents of younger teens see frequent use as likely to lead to addiction).

Reported Use of Marijuana

Just over half (58 per cent) of the survey sample reported having used marijuana at some point in the past. The range is similar for young adults and parents of youth (54 to 59 per cent). Across the survey sample, the prevalence of trying the drug rises to 69 per cent among those 25 to 44 and declines sharply at 65. The prevalence is also somewhat higher among men (62 per cent) and residents of British Columbia (63 per cent). Those who have used marijuana overwhelmingly say that it is used in their social circle of friends and family (99 per cent), while those who have not tried it are less apt to report use among others they associate with (66 per cent).

Among the 58 per cent who have tried marijuana, just over a third (38 per cent) have used it in the last 12 months. That is, 22 per cent of the full survey sample indicated recent use (in the last 12 months). This is highest among young adults and those between 25 and 34 (36 per cent in each cohort). It is also 31 per cent among older teens (16+). Six per cent of younger teens have used it in the last 12 months. Most of those who have ever tried it first did so between 13 and 18 years of age (59 per cent) or when they were between 19 and 24 (23 per cent).

There is a range of frequency of use reported, with just over one in five (22 per cent) reporting daily use, and just under one in five reporting weekly use (17 per cent) or monthly use (18 per cent). Four in ten (42 per cent) use it a few times a year or less. Reasons for use largely relate to pleasure/recreation (36 per cent), relaxation (22 per cent) or curiosity (25 per cent). One in ten pointed to a desire to feel included. Most described smoking marijuana as their typical method of consumption (42 per cent indicating general mention of smoking it, 27 specifically saying they smoke it in a cigarette and 11 per cent describing use of a water pipe or bong). Relatively few (9 per cent) said they typically eat it in food, and fewer still described other methods of consumption. Most marijuana users typically obtain it from a friend according to survey results (78 per cent), although this is less likely among recent users (68 per cent). Obtaining the drug from someone who sells was reported in a much smaller proportion of cases (19 per cent).

Most of those who have never tried it or tried it but not in the last 12 months said that, even when marijuana becomes legal, they are unlikely to use it (85 per cent).

With regard to driving, 27 per cent of Canadians indicated that they have driven a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana at some point in the past. This is higher (42 per cent) among recent marijuana users. Over one in three Canadians (35 per cent) also reported that they have been a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone under the influence of marijuana. This figure rises to 42 per cent among young adults, and 70 per cent of recent marijuana users said that they have been in this position. Few Canadians said that they would be likely to accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana in the future (11 per cent with another 10 per cent saying moderately likely). This rises marginally to 13 per cent likely and 14 per cent moderately likely among young adults. Given that marijuana is seen as socially acceptable, it is less likely that the reported incidence of marijuana use in the survey is a result of participants wishing to respond in a socially acceptable manner (i.e. claiming not to have used marijuana, even when they have, to align with social norms). The fact that 86 per cent agree, however, that marijuana can impair driving ability suggests that the reported incidence of driving while under the influence or accepting a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana is more likely to suffer from under reporting due to the pressure to be portrayed in a socially acceptable light.

Information on Marijuana

Half of Canadians indicated that they have looked for information on marijuana with this figure rising to 64 per cent among young adults, and to 75 per cent among recent marijuana users. Two in three Canadians agree that they have access to enough trustworthy information about the health risks of the drug; this is highest among parents of youth (74 per cent) and recent users (85 per cent). The most likely source to be consulted for information about health and safety risks are health care professionals (53 per cent). This is followed at a distance by the Internet (15 per cent although somewhat more popular among young adults and parents of youth; 23 per cent in each case). Law enforcement as well as health professionals are the most likely sources for information about impaired driving (according to 30 and 25 per cent, respectively). In the case of both health risks and impaired driving, youth also consider parents and teachers to be key sources of information.

Topics of interest regarding the risks and effects or marijuana include health risks (60 per cent are interested), effects on driving (57 per cent are interested), effects of combining it with alcohol or other drugs (54 per cent are interested), and other risks for youth and young adults (54 per cent are interested). Variation in risk associated with different methods of consumption and different products, risk of addiction, laws and penalties and the physical and psychological effects of the drug are also of interest to 46 to 50 per cent of Canadians. Parents of youth are also interested in how to talk with teens about marijuana (51 per cent).

There is considerable variation reported between parents of youth and youth themselves about the incidence of having a conversation about marijuana; while this was reported to have taken place among 86 per cent of parents, only 58 per cent of youth themselves said the same. The kinds of topics discussed are varied, with health and safety, as well as social risk at the top of the list.

The total expenditure for the POR project is $81,416.50 (including HST).

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Government of Canada has identified a need to learn more about the public’s awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours with respect to the health and safety risks associated with marijuana use and of the risks and penalties associated with marijuana-impaired driving. Of particular interest are younger Canadians, among whom marijuana use is more prevalent. The need to explore this area of public opinion is spurred by the Government’s promise to legalize marijuana, but also to regulate and restrict access.

The purpose of the research was to learn more about public awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to marijuana, both in terms of the impacts that marijuana use has on health and the risks to public safety that use poses, such as driving while impaired. Respondents in the survey were told that the focus of the survey was on marijuana used for “recreational” rather than for medicinal purposes. The research was also designed to establish a baseline for the general population aged 13+ with regard to their current state of awareness, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours with respect to the risks and harms of marijuana use.

Specific research objectives included:

• To assess knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and behaviours among the general population aged 13+ towards the health and safety risks associated with marijuana use and the risks associated with marijuana- impaired driving.
• To gather information on how best to inform the general population aged 13+ (i.e. where would they go for information; best methods/media to provide information), about the health and safety risks associated with marijuana use and about the risks and penalties associated with marijuana-impaired driving.
• To gather what other information would be needed to help educate the general population aged 13+ about:
  • the harmful health effects and negative consequences of marijuana use, specifically on youth (13-18) and young adults (19-24)
  • the risks and harms of marijuana to help adults make informed choices, and
  • the risks of impaired driving, including an understanding of enforcement actions.
• To seek a better understanding of the public’s awareness of the current legal status of marijuana.

1.2 Methodology

EKOS Research Associates conducted a national survey of 2,201 residents of Canada aged 13 and older. The survey was conducted both online and by telephone among members of EKOS’ Probit panel, a randomly selected panel of Canadian households. The collection by sample cases by telephone was included to increase the overall representativeness of the sample, and in particularly increased the number of cases collected with the three target groups (youth 13 to 18 years of age, young adults 19 to 24 and parents of youth 13-18). The survey was conducted between May 24^th and June 17^th, 2016. The average interview length to complete the questionnaire was 17 minutes.

The sample included three targeted segments of youth aged 13-18 (n=287), young adults aged 19-24 (n=372), parents of youth aged 13-18 (n=532). An oversample was collected in each of these three segments to ensure sufficient cases in the analysis of results for each individual group. Weighting was applied to the sample to ensure that the total sample of n=2,201 reflects the characteristics of the general public by region, age, gender and parental status.

The Probit panel consists of randomly selected Canadians identified via telephone-based RDD dialling (they do not opt themselves into the panel), with a blended landline and cellphone sample frame providing equal probability sampling and full coverage of the Canadian population with access to a telephone. Because of this approach the samples derived from the Probit panel are considered probabilistic in nature. On this basis the total sample of n=2,201 obtains a +/-2.1 percentage point margin of error, calculated at a 95% confidence interval.

The survey instrument was pre-tested with 31 cases (21 in English and 10 in French) to ensure that the data was being accurately recorded and that the questions were properly understood by respondents.

Respondents were invited to complete the survey via a bilingual e-mail invitation message sent to the randomly selected sample frame. The questionnaire was programmed online on a secure webserver accessible only to individuals with a valid PIN. Since the survey included respondents between the ages of 13 and 15, parental consent was obtained in advance to interview these respondents. Respondents were provided the ability to answer the survey either online or by telephone. Regardless of method, respondents were offered to complete the survey in the official language of their choice.

To reach the full sample of 2,201, a total of 18,084 panel members were randomly selected from the panel, using a stratified approach (to reach the three target groups, and ensure sufficient sample in smaller geographic regions with smaller populations). Added to this are another 134 sample members between the ages of 13 and 24, added based on referrals from parents in the original 18,084 Probit sample. Of these 4,930 were sent a bilingual email invitation to participate in the survey (and 134 were sent an email referred by a parent, or based on consent provided by a parent to email their teen). 1,457 cases were collected online using this sample. Another 13, 725 panel sample members were contacted by telephone, including 571 of the 4,930 invited by email who did not respond online. This segment was contacted by telephone after initial email invitations failed, because they belong to a group of particular interest in the survey sample. A total of 744 cases were completed by telephone with a participation rate of 18 per cent (see Appendix B for details of this calculation). The overall participation rate for the survey was 20 per cent including all sample members and completions from the various methods of participation (online and telephone). This is a typical participation rate for this kind of survey.

Respondents were informed in the invitation that all responses are completely confidential and no responses will be linked to individual names.

1.3 Note to Readers

Detailed findings are presented in the sections that follow. Overall results are presented in the main portion of the narrative and are typically supported by graphic or tabular presentation of results. Bulleted text is also used to point out any statistically and substantively significant differences between sub-groups of respondents. If differences are not noted in the report, it can be assumed that they are either not statistically significant¹ in their variation from the overall result or that the difference was deemed to be substantively too small to be noteworthy. Appendices to this report include the programmed survey instrument (Appendix A).

It should be noted that the survey asks a numbers of questions about behaviours that may have a tendency to exert social desirability pressure for respondents to underreport their use of marijuana, for themselves and their children² . The primary purpose of the survey is to provide a baseline against which future changes in awareness, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours can be subsequently measured.

Results for the proportion of respondents in the sample who either said “don’t know” or did not provide a response are not indicated in the graphic representation of the results unless they are sizable (e.g., ten per cent or greater). Results may also not total to 100 per cent due to rounding.

1.4 Sample Characteristics

The following table presents a sample profile for the baseline survey. This includes demographic characteristics related to employment, education, income, cultural attributes, language, age and region. Each is presented for the full sample of 2,201 Canadians, as well as for the three target groups: youth (between 13 and 18); young adults (19 to 24); and parents of youth (who have teens between 13 and 18).

The sample over represents those with post secondary education, including 46 per cent with a university level of education compared with 23 per cent in the population, and under represents those with high school/elementary or college levels of education. This is partially driven by the oversample of younger Canadians. There is also an under representation of those in the labour force (58 per cent compared with 67 per cent in the population). There are fewer Canadians born outside of Canada represented in the sample (12 per cent) than found in the population (25 per cent).

2. Findings

2.1 Knowledge of Marijuana

a) Methods of Consumption

Eating (69 per cent) and smoking marijuana (52 per cent as a general mention, 33 per cent specifically referring to a joint/cigarette and 21 per cent smoking through a pipe or a water pipe/Bong) are the main methods of consumption that Canadians are familiar with, followed by vaporization (19 per cent). Results are similar for the three target groups, although youth are less familiar with eating as a method of consumption.

Youth (41 per cent), young adults (56 per cent), and parents of youth (55 per cent) are more likely to point to smoking marijuana from a joint or cigarette specifically, compared with other Canadians. Each of these segments is also more likely to be aware of the ability to smoke through a pipe or bong (28 per cent of youth, 42 per cent of young adults, and 30 per cent of parents of youth).

• Those who have consumed marijuana within the past year are more likely than others to mention a variety of ways to consume marijuana (for example, 38 per cent mention smoking in a joint compared to 33 per cent on average; 40 per cent mention vaporizing in a vaporizer compared to 19 per cent on average).
• Relative to younger Canadians (under 25), those who are 25 to 44 are more apt to talk about smoking marijuana as the primary method of consumption (59 to 69 per cent), but not without specifically referring to a “joint” or a “cigarette”.
• Older teens (16-18) are more likely than younger teens (13-15) to cite smoking it in a joint and through a pipe (48 and 34 per cent, respectively, compared with only 20 and 11 per cent among younger teens).
• Residents of British Columbia (66 per cent) and Ontario (56 per cent) are more likely than average to mention smoking, in general, as a means of consuming marijuana, while residents of Quebec are most likely to specify smoking a joint or cigarette (40 per cent) as a means of consumption. Residents of British Columbia and Alberta are the most apt to mention eating marijuana (85 and 77 per cent, respectively), vaporizing through a vaporizer (26 and 27 per cent, respectively) and using oil or liquid forms (17 and 14 per cent, respectively) as means of consumption.
• Respondents with a university education are more likely than those with lower levels of education to mention smoking it (general mention) (60 per cent) and eating it (75 per cent) as a means of consumption.
• Respondents in higher income brackets ($80,000 -$100,000 and $120,000 or more) are more likely to mention smoking it (general mention) (61 and 62 per cent respectively) and eating it (79 and 77 per cent respectively) as a means of consumption.

b) Risks Associated with Methods of Consumption

Two in three Canadians (65 per cent) agree that some methods of using marijuana are more harmful to health than other ways. Agreement is marginally higher among parents of youth. It is lowest among youth, where there is greater uncertainty (i.e., 18 per cent said neither agree nor disagree and 10 per cent said that they do not know).

Understanding of Risk of Methods of Consumption

"To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Some methods of using marijuana, such as smoking it, pose greater health risks than other methods."

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 1

• Those who have not used marijuana are marginally less likely to believe there is a variation in risk posed by different methods of consumption (62 per cent).
• Men (69 per cent) and 25 to 34 year old Canadians (75 per cent) are the most likely to know that there is a variation in risk. As already described, half of youth agree that the risk is greater with some methods and 19 per cent disagree.
• There is some variation in the views of teens; half of older teens (16-18) agree compared with 59 per cent of younger teens (13-15), but 21 per cent disagree, compared with only 13 per cent of younger teens.
• Residents of British Columbia (71 per cent) and Alberta (74 per cent) are more likely than others to be aware of the variation in risk associated with different methods of consumption.
• Respondents with a university education (69 per cent) and those earning $120,000 or more annually (71 per cent) are more likely to say some methods of consumption are riskier to health than others.

c) Safety in Driving a Vehicle

Most Canadians agree that marijuana impairs one’s ability to operate a vehicle (86 per cent). Agreement is lower, however, among young adults (77 per cent). Agreement is also marginally lower among youth, where 82 per cent agree. Almost all parents of youth see the risks of driving while high (90 per cent).

Understanding of Risk of Impaired Driving

"To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Using marijuana impaires one's ability to drive or operate a vehicle."

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 2

• Those who have used marijuana within the past year are less likely than others to believe that using marijuana impairs one’s ability to drive (73 per cent).
• Those with lower levels of education (81 per cent among those with high school or less) are less likely to believe that marijuana use impairs one’s ability to drive.
• Lower income individuals making less than $40,000 are least likely to agree that marijuana use impairs one’s ability to drive (78 per cent), while those at the top end making more than $100,000 are most likely to agree that marijuana impairs the ability to drive (91 to 92 per cent).

Although one in four Canadians (23 per cent) were not able to hazard a guess about the length of time required to safely drive a vehicle after consuming marijuana, a similar proportion believe that a night of sleep is required (25 per cent), followed by 15 per cent believing that three or more hours are required. Although responses are also similar among youth, young adults and parents of youth, youth are the most conservative in their assumption of how long one should wait. Those aged 19 to 24 are more likely than others to believe that a couple of hours or less is a reasonable period of time to wait (21 per cent).

• Those who have smoked marijuana within the past year are more likely than those who have never smoked marijuana to think it would be safe to drive fairly soon after using marijuana. For example, about one in three who have used marijuana in the past year say it would be safe to drive within a few hours of use including right away (7 per cent), within an hour (7 per cent), or within a couple hours after consuming marijuana (20 per cent). Those who have never used marijuana are much more likely to say it would be safe only after a night of sleep (30 per cent compared to 15 per cent among those who have used marijuana within the past year).
• Residents of Quebec are somewhat more apt to have a less conservative view and were more likely than participants in all other regions to say people can drive within a couple of hours (19 per cent), or whenever the effects seem to be gone (12 per cent).
• A more conservative view of the wait required is held by those with the highest household incomes (30 to 32 per cent of those reporting $100,000 or higher said that a night of sleep is required).

d) Current Legal Status

Most Canadians (86 per cent) understand that it is not currently legal to have, use or sell marijuana in Canada for non-medical purposes. Parents of youth are more likely to know that marijuana is not legal in Canada (90 per cent). Youth and young adults are less likely than the rest of the general population to understand that marijuana is not legal to have, use, or sell in Canada; 80 and 84 per cent respectively know that it is not legal.

Knowledge of Current Legal Status

"Is it legal to have, use or sell marijuana in Canada today for non-medical purposes?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 3

• Those with a university education (89 per cent) and those earning $120,000 or more annually (91 per cent) are somewhat more likely than average to say it is not legal to possess, use or sell marijuana in Canada for non-medical purposes, along with those who have used marijuana (89 per cent) compared with their counterparts.
• This is also true of those who are between 35 and 44 (92 per cent), parents of youth under 19 (90 per cent), and residents of Quebec (90 per cent).

e) Perception of Social Acceptability of Marijuana

Just over two in three Canadians believe that it is expected that teenagers will try marijuana (69 per cent). This is similar among young adults and parents of youth relative to all Canadians 13 and over. It is much lower, however, among youth themselves (49 per cent). In fact, 31 per cent of youth disagree that it is expected that teenagers and young adults will try marijuana. On the other hand, almost half of Canadians agree that using marijuana is socially acceptable (48 per cent). This is again lowest among youth, although the gap is not as wide (40 per cent). This belief is considerably higher among young adults (53 per cent).

Perceptions of Use

"To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 4

Belief that it is expected for teenagers and young adults to try marijuana...

• Those actively using marijuana (i.e., in the past year) (79 per cent) are more likely than those who have never used marijuana (55 per cent) to believe it is expected that teenagers and young adults will use it.
• Adults over 55 (76 to 80 per cent) are more likely to agree that young people will try marijuana. Parents of youth 13-15 (23 per cent) were more likely than parents of older teens (16-18) to disagree.
• Among teens themselves, it is the older teens (16-18) who are more apt to agree (55 per cent; 28 per cent disagree), whereas only 30 per cent of younger teens (13-15) agree and 40 per cent disagree.
• Disagreement with this belief is highest among Quebec residents (22 per cent).

Belief that using marijuana is socially acceptable...

• Those using marijuana in the last 12 months (77 per cent) are much more likely than those who have used it before, but not recently (52 per cent), and those who have never used it (30 per cent) to say it is socially acceptable. Related to this, the social acceptability of marijuana is higher among men (52 per cent), who have a higher incidence of use of the drug.
• Similarly, young adults and those who are 25 to 34 are the most apt to see marijuana as socially acceptable (53 to 55 per cent).
• Among teens it is younger teens who are considerably less likely to agree (only 19 per cent, whereas 52 per cent disagree). Among older teens 47 per cent agree that it is socially acceptable (32 per cent disagree).
• Residents of British Columbia (54 per cent) are more likely than residents of Ontario (45 per cent) or Quebec (45 per cent) to believe it is socially acceptable to use marijuana.

2.2 Perceived Health Risks of Marijuana

a) Comparative Health Risks

When asked about the health risk of frequent use (daily or more often) of recreational marijuana, alcoholic beverages and cigarette smoking, Canadians are least concerned about marijuana, with 41 per cent rating it as a high risk. In fact, 25 per cent rated it as a low risk. This is compared with 49 per cent rating alcohol as high risk, but only 10 per cent rating the risk as low. By comparison, cigarette smoking is considered much more dangerous, with 92 per cent rating the risk as high.

Across the three target groups, parents of youth are the most likely to rate the risk of frequent use of marijuana as high (50 per cent; 54 per cent among parents of teens under 16), followed by youth themselves (40 per cent; 55 per cent among those under 16). Younger adults are the least apt to see the risk as high (27 per cent). In fact, 40 per cent of young adults consider the risk to be low, while only 14 per cent consider frequent use of alcohol to be low risk, and only six per cent consider frequent cigarette smoking to be low risk. It is noteworthy that more than one in three youth (35 per cent) also rated the risk of marijuana as low, ranging from 24 per cent among those under 16 and 38 per cent among those 16 to 18.

Comparative Health Risks

"How much of a health risk would you say that each of the following pose if used frequently (daily and more)?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 5

• Canadians who are currently using marijuana (i.e., in the past year) are most likely to view it as a low risk activity (55 per cent) if used frequently (daily or more), while those who had never used it (55 per cent) most often see it as high risk. Among those using marijuana only 12 per cent see it as representing a high risk to their health.
• Along with parents of youth and young adults (50 to 52 per cent), it is the 45 to 54 age cohort who is most apt to see frequent use of marijuana as a high health risk (50 per cent).
• Women (45 per cent) are more likely to perceive frequent marijuana use as a high health risk compared to men (36 per cent); 29 per cent of men see it as a low risk activity.
• Residents of Quebec are most likely to perceive frequent use of marijuana as a high risk (54 per cent). Residents of the Atlantic most often see frequent use of recreational marijuana as a low risk (41 per cent), followed by those living in the Prairies and Alberta (35 and 32 per cent, respectively).
• The perception of health risk associated with frequent use of marijuana increases marginally with level of education (from 37 per cent for those with high school or less to 43 per cent with university). Respondents in the $100,000 to $120,000 income bracket are also more likely to see marijuana as a high health risk if used frequently.
• There is little variation in the perceived health risks of cigarette smoking if used frequently; all groups find it to be high risk. The 25 to 34 age cohort stands out in particular (96 per cent), while young adults are marginally less likely to see it as a risk, although the largely majority still do (88 per cent). The latter is also true of residents of the Atlantic (87 per cent) and those with the least education (89 per cent high school or less) and income (88 per cent less than $40,000).
• As with marijuana use, women (55 per cent) and residents of Quebec (53 per cent) are more likely to view frequent alcohol consumption as a high risk to health.
• Unlike the perception of risk associated with marijuana, those making less than $40,000 per year (54 per cent) are more likely to view frequent alcohol consumption as a high risk activity.

b) Perceived Harm for Different Age Groups

There is fairly universal agreement that marijuana is harmful to teens between the ages of 13 and 18, according to 89 per cent of Canadians. Six in ten (63 per cent) see marijuana as harmful to young adults, although 10 per cent see it as beneficial. Just under half (48 per cent) see marijuana as harmful to adults, while 19 per cent see it as beneficial for adults.

Agreement regarding the harmful effects on teens is also fairly universal across the three target groups, although only 84 per cent of teens themselves would agree. Fewer young adults also see it as harmful for their own age group (53 per cent), followed by 58 per cent of youth. Young adults are also the least likely to see the harm for adults (41 per cent).

Perceived Harm for Target Segments

"For each of the following age groups, please indicate how harmful or beneficial you think marijuana would be if taken occasionally (less than weekly)?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 6

• In all three cases, those who have never used marijuana are far more likely to see the drug as harmful. For instance, 80 per cent of non-users feel the drug is harmful to young adults 19 to 24 years of age, compared to just 28 per cent of those who have used it in the past year. Conversely, 25 per cent of recent users see occasional use as beneficial to young adults, compared to just four per cent of non-users.
• Just over half (53 per cent) of young adults (19 to 24) believe marijuana is harmful to their own age cohort, a figure that rises to 71 per cent among those ages 65 and over saying it is harmful for young adults.
• Parents of younger youth (under 16) are also more apt to see the harmful effects of marijuana across age groups compared with parents of older youth.
• Residents of Atlantic Canada are less likely to see marijuana as a danger to young adults 19 to 24 (56 per cent, while 17 per cent see the drug as beneficial) and adults over the age of 24 (39 per cent, while 29 per cent believe it to be beneficial).
• Those with the lowest level of education (elementary or high school) are somewhat more likely to see occasional marijuana use as beneficial for young adults (12 per cent), and adults over 24 (22 per cent), compared to eight and 15 per cent of university educated respectively.
• Those with the least household income are also more likely to see occasional marijuana use as beneficial for adults (25 per cent), compared to 13 to 14 per cent of those reporting incomes of $100,000 or more.

c) Perceived Impact of Use

When asked about the impact of marijuana use in five different areas (attention, memory, performance at work or school, physical and mental health, relationships with family and friends), between 43 and 60 per cent of Canadians indicated that the effects of even occasional use of marijuana are harmful. At the top of the list are attention and memory, as well as performance. Just under half (47 per cent) also believe that occasional use of marijuana is harmful to physical and mental health, and only slightly fewer (43 per cent) see the effects on relationships as harmful. Relatively few (between six and thirteen per cent) see recreational marijuana use as beneficial, except in the area of mental health where 25 per cent see the potential for benefit.

Generally, youth and parents of youth are more apt to see the harmful effects of occasional marijuana use, compared with young adults, with the exception of attention and memory, where two in three see the impact as harmful. By contrast, youth are the segment most apt to see the harmful effects of marijuana use in most of these areas, excluding performance at school and relationships with family and friends, where results are similar to those provided by parents of youth.

Perceived Impact of Use

"For your age group, please indicate how harmful or beneficial you think occasional use of marijuana (i.e. less than weekly) is to each of the following?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 7

• In all cases, those who have never used marijuana are far more likely to see the drug as harmful. For instance, 72 per cent of non-users feel the drug can impair attention and memory, compared to just 35 per cent of those who have used it in the past year. Conversely, 14 per cent of current users (i.e., last 12 months) see occasional use as beneficial to the attention and memory of their own age group, compared to just three per cent of non-users.
• Those aged 25 to 34 are consistently more likely to downplay the potential impacts of marijuana. For example, 52 per cent believe that occasional use will negatively affect attention and memory (compared to 60 per cent on average), while 42 per cent say the drug will have no real impact (versus 30 per cent on average).
• Younger teens (under 16) are more likely than older teens to qualify the effects as harmful in all areas. In fact, there is a 10 to 12 point gap between these two age cohorts in each area with the exception of performance in school where the gap is only a seven point spread. The same is also true, though to a lesser degree, between parents of younger teens and parents of older teens, but only in the areas of mental health, and attention and memory.
• Women are more likely to say that occasional marijuana use is harmful along each of the five dimensions tested. Men are somewhat more likely to believe that occasional use will have no real impact. For instance, 64 per cent of women say that occasional use can have a detrimental effect on attention and memory (compared to 55 per cent of men), while 33 per cent of men claim that such use will have no impact (compared to 27 per cent of women).
• In all cases, residents of Atlantic Canada are more likely to say there are benefits to occasional marijuana use. For instance, 13 per cent believe it can improve attention and memory, compared to 6 per cent on average. Residents of the Prairies are more apt to say that marijuana can benefit mental health (35 to 36 per cent, compared to 25 per cent on average). Residents of Quebec are more wary of the impacts on attention and memory (65 per cent say harmful), mental health (55 per cent say harmful), and physical health (51 per cent say harmful).
• The university-educated are consistently more likely to see the drug as having no real impact, while elementary/high school-educated generally lean towards the view that occasional use is harmful. For example, 66 per cent of elementary/high school-educated said that attention and memory will be negatively affected by marijuana use (compared to 55 per cent of university-educated), while 36 per cent of university graduates believe the drug will have no real impact in this area, compared to 24 per cent of elementary/high school-educated. College graduates are more likely to say occasional use can benefit mental health (30 per cent, compared to 25 per cent on average).

d) Impact on Addiction

Most Canadians believe that there is a considerable difference in the likelihood of addiction to marijuana based on intensity of use. While only 20 per cent believe that it is likely that one would become addicted from occasional use (i.e. less than weekly), 58 per cent see this as likely with frequent use (i.e., daily or almost daily). In fact, 56 per cent of Canadians believe that it is unlikely that someone would become addicted to marijuana if used less than weekly.

Young adults are the least likely to attribute addictive properties to marijuana, even with frequent use (52 per cent) and only 18 per cent see it as likely with occasional use. Youth and parents of youth are more likely than other Canadians to see marijuana as addictive, even with occasional use.

Impact on Addiction

"How likely is occasional/frequent use of marijuana to lead to addiction or dependence to marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 8

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year are far more likely to rate the risks of addiction from occasional use as low (85 per cent, compared to 35 per cent of non-users) and the risks of addiction from frequent use as low to moderate (43 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, compared to just seven and 16 per cent among non-users).
• Those between the ages of 25 and 34 are more likely to regard the risks of addiction as low, both in terms of occasional use (71 per cent) and frequent use (24 per cent).
• In the case of youth, younger teens are considerably more likely to see the potential risk for addiction. For example, even occasional use is seen as a potential for addiction among 49 per cent of those under 16, but only 27 per cent of those 16 to 18 years of age. Similarly, 80 per cent of younger teens (13-15) see frequent use as likely to result in addiction, compared with only 68 per cent of older teens (16-18). There is a similar, but much narrower gap between parents of younger and older teens, with a five point spread in each case.
• Men are more apt to believe that the likelihood of occasional use leading to addiction is low (61 per cent, compared to 52 per cent of women) and that the likelihood of addiction from frequent use is low to moderate (23 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, compared to 14 per cent and 19 per cent among women).
• In both cases, residents of Quebec are more likely to rate the risks of addiction as high (25 per cent for occasional use and 69 per cent for frequent use), while residents of Atlantic Canada are more likely to rate the risks as low (65 per cent say the risk from occasional use is low and 30 per cent say the risk from frequent use is low).
• The university-educated are more likely to say that the likelihood of occasional use leading to addiction or dependence is low (62 per cent), compared to 52 per cent of elementary/high school- and college-educated.

2.3 Reported Behaviour

a) Use of Marijuana in Social Networks

Overall, 84 per cent of the Canadian population know people in their own network of family and/or friends who have used marijuana. Young adults (87 per cent) and parents of youth (85 per cent) reported knowing people who have used marijuana at a similar rate as the overall result. Youth are less likely to report knowing someone who has used the drug (75 per cent), particularly younger teens under 16 (58 per cent compared with 81 per cent among older teens).

Reported Use of Marijuana in Social Circle/Family

"As far as you know, have people around you (e.g., friends or family) ever used marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 9

• Almost without exception, those who have used marijuana said that people around them also use marijuana (99 per cent among current users and 96 per cent among those who have not used it in the last 12 months), compared to 66 per cent among those who have never used marijuana.
• Reflecting the patterns of current use of marijuana, it is also those 19 to 24, and 24 to 34 years of age (87 per cent and 91 per cent, respectively) who are most likely to know people who have used marijuana. Comparatively, those under 19 (75 per cent) and those 65 or older (73 per cent) are less apt to have someone in their social circle who has used marijuana.
• Regionally, residents of British Columbia (89 per cent) and Quebec (87 per cent) are somewhat more likely to have people around them who have used marijuana, while this is less likely in Ontario (81 per cent).
• Those with higher household incomes ($120,000 or more, 91 per cent) are also more likely than lower income groups to say people around them use marijuana.
• Of the individuals born outside of Canada (72 per cent) are less likely than others to report that people around them have used marijuana.

b) Personal Use of Marijuana

Just under six in ten Canadians (58 per cent) said that they have used marijuana at some point. Young adults (54 per cent) and parents of youth (59 per cent) reported having used marijuana at a rate that is similar to the overall survey result. Youth are the least likely to have used the drug (31 per cent), particularly younger teens under 16 (9 per cent compared with 39 per cent among older teens).

Reported Personal Use of Marijuana

"Have you ever used marijuana"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 10

• Adults between 25 and 64 years of age are much more likely than those under 25 or those older than 65 to have used marijuana (an average of 67 per cent, peaking at 69 per cent among those 25-44 years of age). Reported use is lowest among seniors 65 or older (40 per cent) and, as already indicated above, those under 19 (31 per cent).
• Men (62 per cent) are also more likely to have used marijuana than women (54 per cent).
• Regionally, residents of British Columbia (63 per cent) are somewhat more likely to have used marijuana.
• Reported use of marijuana is also more pronounced among those with higher household incomes (68 per cent among those reporting incomes of $100,000 or more) compared with less affluent Canadians.
• Individuals born outside of Canada (47 per cent) are less likely than others to have used marijuana.

Of those who have ever used marijuana, 38 per cent said that they have used it in the last 12 months. Youth (78 per cent) and young adults (66 per cent) are significantly more likely to have used marijuana in the past 12 months, although the sample of youth responding to the question is relatively small at 90 cases, and youth are less likely to have had time to try marijuana in a period of time prior to 12 months before the survey, particularly younger teens. Parents of youth (24 per cent) are the least likely to report using marijuana in the last 12 months; lower than the overall survey result of 38 per cent.

Taking into consideration the full sample of this survey, 22 per cent reported recent use of marijuana in the last 12 months; 36 per cent among young adults, 24 per cent among youth and 14 per cent among parents of youth. The figure of 24 per cent among youth is driven by a high proportion among older teens (31 per cent) and low percentage of use among 13 to 15 year old teens (6 per cent).

Reported Recent Use of Marijuana

"Have you used marijuana in the past 12 months?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 11

• Along with youth and young adults (noted above), over half of Canadians 25 to 34 years of age who have ever used the drug reported recent use (i.e., 52 per cent of those who have ever used it, have done so in the last 12 months). After 35 years of age, there is a steep decline in reported recent use (i.e., last 12 months): 37 per cent among 35 to 44 year olds, and 30 per cent or less among older cohorts (45-54 years: 30 per cent; 55-64 years: 24 per cent; 65 years or older: 16 per cent). Across the full sample, like young adults, it is those 25 to 34 who are the most apt to have used marijuana in the past 12 months (36 per cent).
• While the regional results show British Columbians as the most apt to have ever used marijuana (63 per cent), it is Atlantic Canadians who are the most recent users. That is, among those who have ever used it 56 per cent reported recent use (i.e., in the last 12 months). Across the full sample 32 per cent of those in the Atlantic and 27 per cent of those in British Columbia have used marijuana in the last 12 months. Rates of recent use (past 12 months) are lowest for the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec (19 to 20 per cent).
• Among those who have ever used it, other subgroups more apt to be currently using marijuana include men (41 per cent, compared with 35 per cent among women), those with a high school education or less (44 per cent, compared with 35 per cent for those with either a college or 37 per cent for university education), and those born in Canada (39 per cent compared with 29 per cent for those born outside Canada).

Most of those who have ever used marijuana started between the ages of 13 and 18 (59 per cent), or between 19 and 24 (23 per cent). Only slightly more than one in ten (11 per cent) started after this age.

c) Frequency of Use

Among those who have used marijuana in the last 12 months, approximately one in five (22 per cent) reported using marijuana daily with no significant difference between age groups and parents. One in five likewise indicated that they have used marijuana a few times a week (17 per cent) or a few times per month (18 per cent). Roughly one-quarter (26 per cent) of Canadians said that they use marijuana a few times a year; this is higher among young adults (34 per cent). Under one in five (16 per cent) said they used marijuana fewer than a few times in the past year.

Reported Intensity of Use

"Over the past 12 months, how often have you used marijuana on average?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 12

• Among those who have used marijuana in the past 12 months, those 45 to 54 years of age are most likely to have said they used marijuana on a daily basis (34 per cent).
• Daily use of marijuana is also more likely among the college and elementary/high school-educated (29 and 27 per cent, respectively), while those with a university degree are more likely use it only a few times a year or less (50 per cent).

Youth and young adults who reported using marijuana on less than a weekly basis were asked how many times they had used marijuana over the past 12 months. Among youth who used marijuana less than weekly, just over half (52 per cent) report using marijuana between two and four times over the past year, while 37 per cent report using it five times or more⁴. Among young adults who used marijuana less than weekly, 34 per cent report using marijuana between two and four times, while over half (53 per cent) report using it five times or more (in the past 12 months).

Frequency of Use if Not Weekly (Under 25 only)

"Over the past 12 months, how many times have you used marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 13

d) Reasons for Use

Among those who have tried marijuana, reasons for use relate largely to pleasure/social events (36 per cent), curiosity (25 per cent), or relaxation (22 per cent). Parents of youth are the most likely of the three groups of interest to report curiosity (25 per cent), or desire for inclusion (21 per cent), whereas youth and young adults are much more likely to use it for relaxation (40 and 28 per cent, respectively). Young adults in particular are more likely to use marijuana out of a sense of enjoyment associated with its use (14 per cent).

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year are more likely to say they have done so because it relaxes them (44 per cent) or that they have used it recreationally in social circumstances (42 per cent).
• Older Canadians who have tried marijuana, including those 55 to 64 years of age (33 per cent) and those 65 years of age and older (41 per cent) are more likely to say they tried marijuana out of a sense of curiosity. Those who are 25 to 34 years of age (44 per cent) and 35 to 44 years of age (44 per cent), are more apt to have used marijuana recreationally or in social circumstances.
• Regionally, Alberta residents (33 per cent) are more likely to have used marijuana out of curiosity. Residents of Quebec (45 per cent) are more apt to have used marijuana recreationally or in social circumstances. Residents of British Columbia (17 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (18 per cent) are more likely to have used marijuana for physical relief/pain management.
• Those with a university education (41 per cent) are more likely than those with lower levels of education to have used marijuana recreationally or in social circumstances.
• Those not born in Canada (19 per cent) are more likely than others to have used marijuana to fit in with others.

e) Methods of Use

Four in ten Canadians who have ever used marijuana reported that they smoke it (42 per cent – general mention), and another 27 per cent specifically indicated that they smoke it in a joint/cigarette). Both the use of a water pipe and eating it are much less frequent methods of use (11 and 9 per cent, respectively). Among youth and young adults, there is greater use of water pipes. Among youth specifically, there is also a slightly higher proportion (12 per cent) who are eating it.

• Those who have consumed marijuana within the past year are more likely to have smoked it in a pipe or water pipe (17 per cent) or used a vaporiser (15 per cent).
• Atlantic Canadians (36 per cent) are more likely than the average to have consumed marijuana by smoking it in joints. Residents of British Columbia (15 per cent) are more likely to have eaten it.
• Those with a high school/elementary education or less are more likely to have smoked marijuana in a joint (34 per cent) or in a pipe or water pipe (14 per cent). Those earning less than $40,000 annually are also more likely to have smoked marijuana in a joint (35 per cent).

f) Sources of Marijuana

When asked where they get their marijuana from, most Canadians reported a friend as the key source (78 per cent); 19 per cent said that they get it from someone who sells it (i.e., not a friend); and 10 per cent cited a family member. Stores that sell marijuana were cited infrequently (5 per cent) as is also the case for growing a personal supply (4 per cent).

There are few significant differences among the target groups in where they say they get marijuana. Youth are more likely than the average to say they get it from a friend (84 per cent) and less likely to say they get it from someone who sells it, but is not a friend (15 per cent). Young adults are less likely to say they get it from a friend (71 per cent) and more likely to say they get it from someone who sells it, but is not a friend (23 per cent).

Sources of Marijuana Consumed

"Where did/do you get your marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 14

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year are less likely than the average to report getting it from a friend (68 per cent) and more likely to have obtained it from either a family member (14 per cent) or from a store that sells it (13 per cent).
• Those 25 to 34 years of age are more likely than average to have gotten their marijuana from a family member (16 per cent) or from someone who sells it (25 per cent).
• Men (22 per cent) are somewhat more likely than women (16 per cent) to have gotten their marijuana from someone who sells it.
• Residents of British Columbia (17 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (20 per cent) are more likely to have obtained it from a family member. Residents of British Columbia are also more likely to have purchased it from a store (12 per cent).

g) Reported Interest Once Legal

When legalized in Canada, most Canadians with no prior use, as well as those who have not used marijuana in the past 12 months, indicated that it is not likely that they would use or try marijuana. The majority of Canadians (85 per cent) said that it is not very or not at all likely that they will try marijuana, while eight per cent feel it is moderately likely and six per cent said it is likely or very likely they will try marijuana when it is legalized⁵.

Parents of youth (4 per cent) are less likely to anticipate using marijuana once legalized. Youth (9 per cent) and young adults (8 per cent) are marginally more apt to say that they would.

Reported Interest Once Legal

"When legalized in Canada how likely would you be to use/try marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 15

• Those who have used marijuana before, but not in the past year, are more likely than those who have never used marijuana to say they would use it when it becomes legal (9 per cent compared to 4 per cent, respectively).
• Regionally, residents of Alberta (11 per cent) are more apt to say they would be likely to use it.
• Those born outside Canada (91 per cent) are more likely than others to say they would not use marijuana when it becomes legal.

h) Operation of Vehicle While Impaired

Of the 58 per cent of the sample who have ever used marijuana, over one in four who are 16 years of age or older said they have driven or operated a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana (27 per cent). This proportion is significantly lower among youth (11 per cent), but closer to the overall survey result among young adults (23 per cent) and parents of youth (28 per cent).

Reported Operation of Vehicle While Impaired

"Have you ever driven or operated a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 16

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year (42 per cent) are more likely than those who have used marijuana but not in the past year (19 per cent) to have driven under the influence of marijuana.
• Men (38 per cent) are much more likely than women (15 per cent) to have driven under the influence of marijuana in the past. This is also true of Canadians between 25 to 34 years of age (34 per cent) compared with all other age groups.
• Regionally, residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41 per cent) are more likely than others to have driven under the influence of marijuana, while residents of Quebec (23 per cent) are less likely to have done so.

One in three Canadians (35 per cent) reported that they have been the passenger in a vehicle where the driver was under the influence of marijuana. Youth are significantly less likely to have been a passenger in a car where the driver was under the influence of marijuana (21 per cent), largely shaped by the infrequency among younger teens (4 per cent compared with 26 per cent among older teens), while young adults are significantly more likely to have done so (42 per cent).

Reported Acceptance of Ride (Impaired Driver)

"Have you ever been a passenger in a vehicle where the driver was under the influence of marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 17

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year (70 per cent) are much more likely than others to have been a passenger in a car driven by someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Men (39 per cent) are also more likely than women (31 per cent) to have been a passenger in a car with a driver under the influence of marijuana.
• Those 25 to 34 years of age (48 per cent) and those 35 to 44 years of age (40 per cent), along with young adults (42 per cent) are more likely to have been a passenger in a car where the driver was under the influence of marijuana.
• Regionally, Atlantic Canadians (44 per cent) are more likely than Canadians in other regions to have been a passenger in a car where the driver was under the influence of marijuana.
• Those not born in Canada (27 per cent) are less likely than others to have been a passenger in a car driven by someone under the influence of marijuana.

More than three in four Canadians (77 per cent) said they would be unlikely to accept a ride from someone they knew to be under the influence of marijuana. Among the target groups, 81 per cent of youth, 72 per cent of young adults and 82 per cent of parents of youth reported they would be unlikely to accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana. Again younger teens (under 16) are the most likely to say they would not accept a ride (87 per cent compared with 78 per cent among older teens).

Likelihood of Accepting a Ride (Impaired Driver)

"How likely would you be to accept a ride from someone who you knew was under the influence of marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 18

• Those who have recently used marijuana (i.e., in the past year) (32 per cent) are far much more likely than those who have not used it recently (7 per cent), or those who have never used marijuana (3 per cent) to say they would accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Men are marginally more likely to say they would accept a ride from someone they knew to be under the influence of marijuana (14 per cent compared with 7 per cent of women).
• Likelihood of accepting a ride is marginally higher among those 25 to 44 (14 to 15 per cent). Seniors (65 years and older) are the least likely to accept a ride from someone they knew to be under the influence of marijuana (86 per cent would be unlikely to do so).
• Regionally, residents of Quebec and Atlantic provinces are also marginally more apt to say they would accept a ride (14 and 15 per cent, respectively). Conversely, residents of Alberta (83 per cent) and Ontario (81 per cent) are least likely to accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Those with a university education (81 per cent) are less likely than those with less education to say they would likely accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Those earning less than $40,000 annually (14 per cent) are more likely than those with higher incomes to say they would accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Those not born in Canada (84 per cent) are less likely than others to accept a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.

2.4 Perceptions of Parents

a) Use of Marijuana

Among all parents of youth and/or young adults one in three (34 per cent) believe that their child has used marijuana at some point. Nearly half (47 per cent) of parents of young adults (19-24) believe this to be the case. This is lower than the 54 per cent of young adults themselves who report that they have used marijuana. One-quarter (25 per cent) of parents of youth also believe that their teenager has used marijuana⁶, which is relatively similar to the 31 per cent of youth who reported that they have used marijuana. This belief is more limited among parents of teens under 16 (16 per cent say their 13 to 15 year old has tried it, compared with 33 per cent who say the same about their 16 to 18 year old). While this compares well to the 33 per cent of older teens who themselves report some previous use of the drug it is a large over reporting of teens under 16, among whom only 9 per cent indicated previous use.

Incidence of Use (Reported by Parents)

"As far as you know, has your teenager ever used marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 19

• Parents of youth and young adults between 13 and 24 who have themselves recently used marijuana (55 per cent), and to a lesser extent, those who have not used it recently (i.e., in the past year) (40 per cent), are more likely to say their teenager has used marijuana in the past year, compared with parents who have never used it (17 per cent).
• Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16 per cent) are less likely to say they their teenager has used marijuana.
• Parents with a high school education or less (45 per cent) are more likely than other parents to say their teenager has used marijuana.

b) Impaired Driving

Only a very small proportion of parents of any age (2 per cent) believe that their teenager has driven a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. This is true of parents of youth 16 to 18 as well as among parents of young adults, although larger proportions of the latter group of parents said they do not know (14 per cent). This is in comparison with four per cent of 16 to 18 year old youth themselves who reported driving while under the influence, along with 12 per cent of young adults themselves who reported the same.

Youth Incidence of Impaired Driving (Reported by Parents)

"As far as you know, has your teenager ever driven a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 20

• Parents of youth and young adults who have never used marijuana (94 per cent) are more likely than others to say their teenager has not driven under the influence of marijuana.
• Although parents from Saskatchewan and Manitoba are less likely than average to say their teenager has used marijuana (16 per cent vs. 34 per cent on average) they are more likely to believe their teenager has driven under the influence of marijuana (8 per cent vs. 2 per cent on average).
• Parents with a university education (91 per cent) are typically more certain than other parents that their teenager has not driven under the influence of marijuana, as is also the case with parents born outside of Canada (96 per cent).

Although few parents of teenagers reported that their child has driven under the influence of marijuana, the incidence is higher for those who believe that their teenager has accepted a ride from a driver who was under the influence of marijuana. Across all parents of youth and young adults seven per cent believe that their child has accepted a ride, 59 per cent say that they have not and 33 per cent are unsure. Parents of youth are more apt to report that their teenager has never accepted a ride with a marijuana impaired driver (73 per cent), although 21 per cent are not sure. Among parents of young adults only 42 per cent believe that their 19 to 24 year old son or daughter has not accepted a ride from someone driving under the influence of marijuana, while almost half (48 per cent) are not sure.

Youth Incidence of Accepting Ride (Reported by Parents)

"As far as you know has your teenager ever accepted a ride with a driver who was under the influence of marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 21

• Parents of youth and young adults between 13 and 24 who have never used marijuana (71 per cent) and those with household incomes of $120,000 or more (66 per cent) are more likely than other parents to say their teenager has not accepted a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.
• Parents from Quebec (11 per cent) are more likely than others to believe their teenager has accepted a ride from someone under the influence of marijuana.

2.5 Information on Marijuana

Incidence of Looking for Information

About half of Canadians in the survey sample (51 per cent) have looked for information on the effects of using marijuana. Proportions are similar to the overall result among youth and parents of youth, however, the incidence of looking for information is higher among young adults (64 per cent). Among parents, it is those raising older teens (16 and up) who are more apt to have sought information (59 per cent).

Incidence of Looking for Information

"Have you ever looked for information on the effects of using marijuana?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 22

• The likelihood of searching for information related to marijuana increases with use of the drug (from 39 per cent among those who have never used marijuana to 75 per cent of those who have used it within the past year).
• Interest in the effects of using marijuana appears to decline with age, driven largely by use of marijuana. As already described, about two-thirds (64 per cent) of those ages 19 to 24 have searched for this type of information, followed closely by 62 per cent among those 25 to 34, and 57 per cent among those 35 to 44. This falls to just 38 per cent of those ages 65 and over.
• The likelihood of searching for information related to marijuana increases with the level of education (from 47 among those with a high school or less to 56 per cent for those with a university). The incidence of looking for information is also higher among respondents with an income of $120,000 and more (58 per cent).
• Men are also marginally more likely to have looked for information, likely driven by greater incidence of use of the drug.
• The incidence of looking for information is somewhat more pronounced in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (60 per cent), and in Alberta (58 per cent). It is lowest in Quebec (46 per cent).

Two in three Canadians in the survey sample also said that they have access to enough trustworthy information about the health risks of marijuana to make informed choices (68 per cent). Agreement is similar among young adults and youth relative to all Canadians. Parents are most likely to say that they have access to sufficient information (74 per cent), although this is more often the case among parents of older teens (77 per cent compared with 69 per cent of parent of younger teens).

Access to Trustworthy Information

"To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? I have access to enough trustworthy information about the health risks of marijuana use to make informed decisions."

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 23

• Those who have used marijuana in the past year are much more comfortable with the information they have available (85 per cent agree, compared to 58 per cent of those who have never used marijuana).
• Seniors (i.e., those 65 and over) are less confident in the quality of the information they have access to (57 per cent agree, compared to 68 per cent on average).

Overall, physicians and other health care professionals are seen as the most likely source for information about the health risks of marijuana (53 per cent). This is followed by the Internet at 15 per cent. Among youth there is greater reliance on parents (22 per cent), teachers (23 per cent), and friends (14 per cent). Younger teens emphasized teachers and parents more often than older teens, while older teens were more apt to suggest other family, friends and health care providers as sources they go to. Among young adults the Internet (23 per cent) and friends (18 per cent) are key additional sources.

• Physicians are even more likely to be seen as a key source for those 45 to 54 (59 per cent), and the most affluent (60 per cent among those with a household income of $120,000 or more).
• Reliance on physicians as a key source for information is lowest in Quebec (47 per cent).
• Those who recently used marijuana (i.e., in the past year) are comparatively more likely to rely on the Internet (20 per cent) and friends (16 per cent).

In terms of sources of information regarding safety in driving a vehicle, law enforcement (30 per cent) and health care professionals (25 per cent) are the two primary sources. Young adults and parents of youth are marginally more likely than others to rely on the Internet as a third preferred source. Among youth specifically, teachers and parents are also key sources of information (15 and 19 per cent, respectively). Younger teens were again more apt to point to teachers than older teens.

• Reliance on teachers, parents, and the Internet declines with age. Conversely, older Canadians are more likely to turn to law enforcement (35 to 41 per cent among those 55 or older) and health professionals (29 per cent among the 45 to 54 and 65 or older age cohorts).
• Residents of Atlantic Canada are more apt to consult a law enforcement agent (37 per cent).
• Those who currently use marijuana are significantly less likely to turn to law enforcement (19 per cent). These individuals are also less likely to rely on health professionals (20 per cent).
• Those born outside Canada are more likely than other Canadians to speak with a health professional (30 per cent).

Topics of interest are varied and in high demand, including health risks and effects on driving (60 and 57 per cent, respectively), followed by effects of combining marijuana with other substances and risks for youth and young adults (54 per cent in each case). Risks associated with different methods of consumption, of addiction, relevant laws and penalties, and actual effects of marijuana use are also of strong interest, according to about half of Canadians (50, 48, 47 and 46 per cent, respectively). Younger teens (under 16) are particularly interested in information about laws and penalties (59 per cent). Parents of youth are also strongly interested in information about how to discuss marijuana with youth (51 per cent), particularly parents of younger teens (55 per cent), which is also true for younger teens themselves compared with older teens (30 per cent compared with 17 per cent among those 16 to 18).

• Those ages 65 and over, and those under the age of 25 expressed comparatively greater interest in learning about the physical and psychological effects of marijuana. Those under 25 are particularly interested in the laws and penalties associated with the drug. Those 35 to 54 are more interested in advice on how to speak with teenagers about marijuana, although they consistently show less interest in other topics related to the drug.
• Residents of Quebec are noticeably more interested in learning about the health risks (65 per cent), the risks for youth (60 per cent), the risks of addiction (55 per cent) and the physical and psychological effects (53 per cent).
• Those who have never used marijuana consistently express a great deal more interest in learning more about marijuana than those who have used the drug in the past year.
• Those reporting higher household incomes (over $120,000) are more interested in receiving information on the risks of marijuana use for youth (59 per cent) and advice on how to discuss the issue with them (29 per cent). University graduates in particular are also more interested in the health risks (64 per cent) and the effects on driving (59 per cent).
• Those born outside Canada expressed a greater interest in learning more about nearly all of the topics tested compared with other Canadians.

2.6 Discussions with Youth/Parents

a) Reported Incidence of Discussions with Youth/Parents

There is considerable variation reported between parents of youth (13 to 18) and youth themselves (13 to 18) about the incidence of having a conversation about marijuana. While this was reported to have taken place among 86 per cent of parents of youth (13 to 18), only 58 per cent of youth themselves said the same⁷.

Reported Incidence of Discussions

"Have you discussed marijuana use with your parent(s)/teenager(s)?"

Health Canada Survey, 2016

Text Description - Figure 24

• Both youth and parents of youth who have used marijuana are much more likely to have had a conversation with their parents/children (78 per cent among youth who have used marijuana in the last 12 months and 90 per cent among parents of youth you have ever used marijuana, compared with 51 and 81 per cent of their respective counterparts).
• Youth and parents of youth born in Canada are more likely to have discussed marijuana with their parents (60 per cent and 88 per cent respectively) than those born outside Canada (44 per cent and 78 per cent respectively).

Among the topics discussed, health and safety, as well as social risks are the primary topics according to both parents of youth (13 to 18) (49 per cent) and youth (29 per cent). Parents of youth also said that conversations have touched on effects on the body (24 per cent), legal consequences (17 per cent), addiction (16 per cent), and “just saying no” (14 per cent). Youth are more likely than parents of youth to report discussions about people in their social circle who are using or have used marijuana (29 per cent).

• Among parents of youth, women are more likely to have brought up the issue of addiction (22 per cent, compared to 10 per cent), as well as legal consequences (20 per cent versus 13 per cent among men), and outlining parents’ rules if use youth consume (13 per cent versus 6 per cent of men).
• Younger parents (35 to 44) are also more apt to have discussed the addictive nature of marijuana (23 per cent) compared with parents over 45.
• Among parents who have never used marijuana, conversations were likely to focus on just saying no (20 per cent), and the addictive nature of the drug (22 per cent). That cannabis use does not solve problems, and that it leads to use of other drugs are topics that are also more apt to be discussed among these parents (12 and 13 per cent) compared with parents who have ever used marijuana or used in the last year.
• Youth who have used marijuana in the past year are more likely to have outlined parents’ rules around marijuana use (14 per cent) or the benefits of the drug (13 per cent).
• Parents with high school education or less are more likely than other parents of youth to report that they have discussed the merits of “just saying no” (22 per cent).
• Parents of youth living in the Atlantic are more likely than other parents to outline the parents’ rules around use (29 per cent).

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

General email invitation

EKOS Survey Invitation

(La version française du message suit)

Dear member of the Probit research panel,

EKOS Research Associates has been commissioned by the Government of Canada to conduct a survey with the Canadian public on the subject of marijuana use. The survey will be used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Canadians when it comes to marijuana. Our goal is to obtain the most unbiased and candid answers possible to help inform policy decisions, create communication and informational materials, and measure changes in attitudes and behaviour over time.

This survey is registered with Marketing Research and Intelligence Association's (MRIA) Research Registration System. It is important to note that all of your responses will remain strictly confidential. Your personal information will not in any way be associated with any of the answers that you provide in the data that we report back to the Government of Canada. Your answers will be combined along with those of thousands of other Canadians. No personally identifying information associated with the survey responses will be shared or stored in any fashion.

To begin the survey, click on the link below.

START THE SURVEY

If you have any issue with the link above please copy the following link into your browser:

You can stop the survey at any time. For any questions on the survey and any technical difficulties, please contact Jeremie Blanc, with EKOS Research Associates, at jblanc@ekos.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this study.

EKOS Research Associates

TOPIC
Marijuana, attitudes and opinions

LENGTH
15 minutes

Parent email invitation

EKOS Survey Invitation

(La version française du message suit)

Dear member of the Probit research panel,

EKOS Research Associates has been commissioned by the Government of Canada to conduct a survey with the Canadian public on the subject of marijuana use. The survey will be used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of teen aged children (teenagers) when it comes to marijuana. Our goal is to obtain the most unbiased and candid answers possible to help inform policy decisions, create communication and informational materials, and measure changes in attitudes and behaviour over time.

We would like to include your teenager in this very important study and are asking your permission to include them in our sample. In doing so, please understand that your teenager's responses to the survey questions are strictly confidential.

This survey is registered with Marketing Research and Intelligence Association's (MRIA) Research Registration System and follows strict ethical guidelines with regard to survey research for those under 16. Personal information will not in any way be associated with any of the answers provided in the data that we report back to the Government of Canada. You will not be able to obtain your teenager's responses, which will be combined with those of thousands of other Canadians. No personally identifying information associated with the survey responses will be shared or stored in any fashion.

In this spirit, it is also very important that your teenager knows that their survey responses are strictly confidential and that they be permitted to answer the survey questions as honestly as possible, without worrying about anyone scrutinizing their answers. For the findings to be useful it is important that we obtain the most candid answers possible.

To register your teenager to participate, please click the link below.

VISIT THE SITE

If you have any issue with the link above please copy the following link into your browser:

For questions on the survey and any technical difficulties, please contact EKOS Research Associates at online@ekos.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this study.

EKOS Research Associates

TOPIC
Health, attitudes and opinions

LENGTH
15 minutes

TEEN email invitation

EKOS Survey Invitation

(La version française du message suit)

Hello,

EKOS Research Associates has been asked by the Government of Canada to conduct a survey with teens about knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of teenagers, like you, when it comes to marijuana.

This survey is registered with Marketing Research and Intelligence Association's (MRIA) Research Registration System. Personal information will not be connected with any of the answers you provide in the information that we report back to the Government of Canada. Your parent or legal guardian will not be able to look at your responses, which will be combined with those of other Canadians. No personally identifying information linked with your answers will be shared or stored.

Your parent or legal guardian has given permission for you to participate in this very important study. Your participation is voluntary, so it is up to you to decide whether you are willing to answer, but we hope you do! You can do the survey on your computer, laptop, table or phone. You can stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable, or just choose not to respond to any question. To protect your privacy you will not be able to go back to previous pages for some questions and once you complete the questionnaire your case is locked. Your answers will not be shown to your parent(s)s/legal guardian(s), teachers or anyone else, so please be as honest as you can.

If the survey makes you feel like you would like to talk to someone about this topic, the Kid's Help Line can provide you with someone to write to or talk to. Their website is www.kidshelpphone.ca.

To start the survey, please click the link below.

START THE SURVEY

If you have any problems with the link just copy this link into your browser:

For questions on the survey and any technical difficulties, please contact EKOS Research Associates at online@ekos.com.

Thank you for taking the time help us out with this important study.

EKOS Research Associates

TOPIC
Health, attitudes and opinions

LENGTH
15 minutes

PINTRO

PHONE INTRO
Hello, my name is ... and I work for EKOS Research Associates. <May I speak with ?> We are conducting a survey. Would you mind if we asked you some questions? All your responses will be kept strictly confidential. May I begin?

If asked: This survey should take about 15 minutes.

WINTRO

WEB INTRO
Thank you for agreeing to complete this survey. All your responses will be kept strictly confidential. A few reminders before beginning...

On each screen, after selecting your answer, click on the "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen to move forward in the survey.

If you leave the survey before completing it, you can return to the survey URL later, and you will be returned to the page where you left off. Your answers up to that point in the survey will be saved.

If you have any questions about how to complete the survey, please call EKOS Research Associates at 800.388.2873 or send an email to online@ekos.com. Thank you in advance for your participation.

PRIV

Phone
This call may be recorded for quality control or training purposes.

QCHILD

A few questions in the survey are also intended for parents. Are you the parent or legal guardian of any children currently living in the household? If so, how many?

QCHILDA [1,5]

Parents, QCHILD
If... QCHILD = 1

PQ1

How much of a health risk would you say that each of the following pose if used frequently (daily and more). <[PHONE]You can answer with no health risk at all, minimal health risk, moderate health risk, high health risk, or very high health risk.>

Q1B

Q1D

Q1E

PQ2A

This survey focuses on recreational use of marijuana or marijuana-based products. That is use that is only for the purposes of getting high and/or for pleasure and not for the treatment of disease or illness or helping with of symptoms associated with disease or illness.

In this section we ask about personal understanding about use of marijuana and possible health risks.

PQ2

For each of the following age groups, please indicate how harmful or beneficial you think marijuana would be if taken occasionally (less than weekly). <[PHONE]You can answer with very harmful, somewhat harmful, no impact, somewhat beneficial, or very beneficial.>

Q2A

Q2B

Q2C

PQ3

For your age group, please indicate how harmful or beneficial you think occasional use of marijuana (i.e. less than weekly) is to each of the following? <[PHONE]You can answer with very harmful, somewhat harmful, no impact, somewhat beneficial, or very beneficial.>

Q3A

Q3B

Q3C

Q3D

Q3F

Q4A

Q4B

Q5 [1,10]

PQ6

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements. <[PHONE]You can answer with strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat agree or strongly agree.>

Q6A

Q6B

Q6C

Q6D

Q6G

Q8

Q9 [1,11]

Q10 [1,10]

Q12 [1,12]

PQ12B

This following section is about marijuana use. Use includes smoking, inhaling, eating or applying products that contain marijuana.

Q12B

Q13

Q14

If used marijuana, Q13
If... Q13 = 1

Q15

If used marijuana in the last 12 months, Q14
If... Q14 = 1

Q16

Youth only, if used less than weekly, Q15
If... (AQAGE = 12-24 or QAGEY = 1-3) and Q13 = 1 and Q15 = 3,4,5,9

Q17 [1,12]

If used marijuana, Q13
If... Q13 = 1

Q18

If used marijuana, Q13
If... Q13 = 1

Q19 [1,12]

If used marijuana, Q13
If... Q13 = 1

Q20 [1,8]

If used marijuana, Q13
If... Q13 = 1

Q21

If used marijuana, Q13 and age 16 or over, QAGE
If... Q13 = 1 and (AQAGE >= 16 or QAGEY >= 2)

Q22

Q24

Q23

Q25

Q26

If do not use marijuana, Q13, or have not used marijuana, past 12 months, Q14
If... Q13 = 2,9 or Q14 = 2,9

Q29

Parents of children 13-18 and teens 13-18 only
If... QCHILDA = 3,4 or AQAGE = 12-18 or QAGEY = 1-2

Q30 [1,15]

Parents of children 13-18 and teens 13-18 only and Have discussed marijuana, Q29
If... (QCHILDA = 3,4 or AQAGE = 12-18 or QAGEY = 1-2) and Q29 = 1

Q31

Parents of children 13+ only
If... QCHILDA = 3,4,5

Q32

Parents of kids 16 or older
If... QCHILDA = 4,5

Q33

Parents of children 13+ only
If... QCHILDA = 3,4,5

DEMIN

These last questions are for statistical purposes and we remind you that all your answers are completely confidential.

D1

If 16 or older
If... AQAGE >= 16 or AQAGE is empty

D2

D5

If 19 or older
If... AQAGE >= 19 or AQAGE is empty

D6

D6B

Outside Canada, D6
If... D6 = 2

D6E [1,9]

D7 [1,5]

D8

QGENDR

THNK

Those are all the questions we have for you. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, it is greatly appreciated.

Appendix B

Call Outcome and Response Rate - Telephone Sample

1

Chi-square and standard t-tests were applied as applicable. Differences noted were significant at the 95 per cent level.

2

Ivar Krumpal, "Determinants of Social Desirability Bias in Sensitive Surveys: A Literature Review", Quality and Quantity, June 2013, Volume 47, Issue 4, pp. 2025-2047.

4

This result is largely driven by older teens. There are too few younger teens responding to questions about marijuana use to reliably determine differences among younger and older teens.

5

Note that 284 respondents who had tried marijuana, but not in the last 12 months were not included in the results, as the branching logic was changed after the first few days of data collection, to include those who had previous, but not recently tried marijuana.

6

Note that there is overlap between parents of youth and parents of young adults, with 123 parents recorded in both categories.

7

No total is reported for youth and parents of youth, which were treated as separate segments.