2023-10-12 15:30:40
Title: Longitudinal Study in Canada Shows Little Increase in Cannabis Use Following Legalization
Introduction:
Smoking cannabis and growing a few plants for personal use has been tolerated in the Netherlands for decades. While more countries are considering the legalization of cannabis, there is limited longitudinal research confirming the impact of legalization on its use. In this regard, Canadian researchers conducted a five-year study to assess the effects of cannabis legalization in the country.
Study Overview:
In October 2018, Canada legalized the recreational use of cannabis, sparking concerns that its use, especially among young people, would skyrocket. To investigate this, researchers from McMaster University studied a group of 619 at-risk young individuals between February 2017 and February 2020. The focus was on participants known for regularly binge drinking or combining alcohol with cannabis use.
Results:
Contrary to expectations, the study found that the frequency of cannabis use among regular users decreased leading up to legalization. However, this decline was attributed to the participants naturally aging out of cannabis consumption. Interestingly, participants who did not use cannabis prior to legalization demonstrated a slight increase in usage over time. Researchers caution against attributing this slight increase solely to legalization, as it began before the policy change. They suggest that further investigation and data collection are necessary to understand the underlying causes.
Implications:
The study’s findings align with previous research indicating that the legalization of cannabis is unlikely to result in a significant surge in its use or addiction-related consequences. However, longitudinal studies like this one are crucial to thoroughly evaluate policy changes over time. As more countries legalize cannabis, researchers emphasize the need for similar studies to inform policymakers and the general public about the potential lack of major consequences associated with legalization.
Cannabis Use in Europe:
While the Netherlands has long tolerated cannabis use under certain conditions, it remains among countries that have officially legalized the drug. Other countries, including Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, Georgia, and Switzerland, have fully legalized cannabis. Recently, Malta became the first European Union country to legalize cannabis use.
According to European research, cannabis use in the Netherlands is relatively high compared to other countries in Europe. Approximately 27% of the population has tried cannabis, placing the Netherlands in eighth place in terms of usage. France, with nearly 45% of the population having used cannabis, ranks the highest in Europe. However, the Trimbos Institute notes that there is no clear correlation between a country’s policy and cannabis use, as evidenced by variations in usage rates between countries with different policies, such as France and Sweden.
Conclusion:
The Canadian longitudinal study provides valuable insights into the effects of cannabis legalization on usage patterns, particularly among at-risk young individuals. The findings suggest that legalization does not necessarily lead to a significant increase in cannabis use. Future research is needed to understand the factors influencing changes in consumption over time. As more countries consider cannabis legalization, robust studies like this one can guide evidence-based decision-making.]
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