Survey: 1 in 6 Canadians Have Used Cannabis Since Legalization

Statistics Canada released updated cannabis consumer data compiled over the months since legalization in October, according to a Motley Fool report.

The statistics show 15.4 percent of all Canadians have tried cannabis in the last three months. Of the provinces, Quebec had the lowest consumption rate at just 13.6 percent, while Nova Scotia had the highest at 21.6 percent.

Men were more likely to consume cannabis — 19.4 percent have consumed in the last three months, while just 11.3 percent of women have consumed.

By age, cannabis consumption was more predominant in the younger age brackets. 27.4 percent of Canadians aged 15-24 and 23.2 percent of those 25 to 34 have used cannabis since legalization. Only 5.2 percent of those 65 and older have consumed cannabis, however, and only 10.4 percent of those aged 55 to 64.

Analysts expect consumption rates to continue rising as Canada’s licensed producers ramp up production and tackle problems with their supply chains. Also, there are still very few brick-and-mortar retail cannabis outlets in Canada — none, in some provinces. Cannabis-infused edibles will also become legal on October 17, 2019 and a rise in consumption by non-smokers is expected at that time.

Falling prices may also increase consumption. Aurora Cannabis is expected to top out at 700,000 kilograms of cannabis per year. Right now, however, the company is only producing 120,000 kilos. The same is true for other licensed producers — once they’ve increased their output, prices are expected to come down.

The data from Statistics Canada is available on their website.