A groundbreaking study led by Marie-Pierre Sylvestre, a professor at the Université de Montréal School of Public Health, sheds new light on cannabis consumption patterns in Canada. Conducted four to five years after the country’s legalization of cannabis, the study focuses on identifying the socio-demographic, mental health, and lifestyle characteristics of individuals who present a low risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD). This research marks a shift from traditional studies that often concentrate solely on at-risk users.
Guillaume Dubé, the lead author of the study, analyzed data from 731 Quebec adults in their mid-thirties. The findings reveal that of the 44% of participants who reported using cannabis in the past year, a significant 63% were at low risk of developing CUD. This data provides a fresh perspective on cannabis use, emphasizing the existence of non-problematic usage patterns.
Distinct Profiles According to Risk
The research team identified clear distinctions between lower-risk and higher-risk cannabis users. According to Guillaume Dubé, “Lower-risk cannabis users resemble non-users more than higher-risk users.” He further explains that higher-risk users are typically male, have lower education levels, and experience more mental health issues, particularly anxiety.
Jean-Sébastien Fallu, a professor at the Université de Montréal School of Psychoeducation and co-author of the study, highlights the significance of these findings. “This research supports a change in attitude and perspective: rather than focusing almost exclusively on at-risk consumption profiles or those associated with problems, let’s turn our attention to an aspect too often unconsidered, even obscured—that is, non-problematic cannabis use.”
A Beneficial Factor: Occasional Use
While frequency of use remains the strongest factor associated with high CUD risk, the study uncovers other influential factors. Simultaneous use of cannabis and tobacco, general smoking habits, and anxiety symptoms are identified as significant risk factors. Interestingly, the study suggests that using cannabis in social settings, rather than alone, correlates with a lower risk of CUD.
After adjusting for various factors, the research team found that women and individuals who use cannabis and alcohol together tend to have lower-risk usage patterns. Guillaume Dubé explains, “We also observed that people who used alcohol and cannabis simultaneously had a lower risk of CUD than those who used cannabis without alcohol. This may seem surprising, but we hypothesized that when these two substances are used together, it’s in a social context, which is the true beneficial factor. This remains to be demonstrated, however.”
Conversely, tobacco and cannabis use is an important risk factor that differentiates higher-risk users from lower-risk users.
Public Policy: Stop Demonizing Cannabis
Marie-Pierre Sylvestre emphasizes the practical implications of the study’s findings. “Our results underscore the importance of harm reduction strategies and evidence-based education for cannabis-related policies,” she states. The research team advocates for public health initiatives to provide factual information about the potential effects of cannabis, both positive and negative.
Guillaume Dubé concludes, “Like alcohol, cannabis has been consumed since the dawn of humanity. Psychoactive substance use carries risks, regardless of the substance. For adults who wish to use cannabis, there are practices to maximize its benefits and reduce these risks.”
About the Study
This research is based on the longitudinal Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study, which has been following Quebecers since 1999. The data analyzed in the current study were collected in 2022-2023, providing insights into cannabis use patterns four to five years after its legalization in Canada.
The study’s findings are expected to influence public health policies and encourage a more nuanced understanding of cannabis use, moving away from demonization and towards informed, balanced discussions.
