Cannabis health knowledge and risk perceptions among Canadian youth and young adults

Abstract

Background: Although recreational cannabis is now legal in Canada, little empirical evidence exists regarding young Canadians' cannabis literacy, cannabis-related risk perceptions, and risk of different forms of cannabis or the effect that public health education may have on these perceptions. The present study sought to address these knowledge gaps to examine health knowledge and risk perceptions associated with cannabis use. Methods: An online survey was conducted with a national sample (N = 870) of Canadians aged 16 to 30 years in October 2017 using a commercial panel. The study examined young Canadians' awareness of negative health effects related to cannabis, evaluation of known risks, and risk perceptions of different forms of administration. Results: Most respondents were aware of a cannabis-related physical health effect (78.0%). Approximately one-third reported having been exposed to public health messaging about cannabis; digital media was reported most frequently. Compared to never users, ever users were less likely to report general likelihood of addiction (p < 0.001) and harm to mental health (p < 0.001). Approximately one-quarter of past 3-month cannabis users reported they were at least "a little" addicted. Respondents who reported using a particular form of cannabis self-administration (e.g., edibles, smokables) were less likely to perceive harm than those who did not use each form (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current study is among the first to measure the knowledge and perceptions of risks of Canadian youth about cannabis. The study, conducted in the time immediately preceding legalization, may serve as a reference point for future studies examining changes in cannabis knowledge and risk perceptions. This will be important in addressing the need for monitoring and enhancing public awareness of the impact and potential harms of this newly legalized substance.

Youth substance use service provider’s perspectives on use and service access in ontario: time to reframe the discourse

“…While participants in our study suggested the need for an increase in school-based educational initiatives to assist in normalizing conversations and educating youth about the harms associated with use, they also suggested the utility of social media-based campaigns as a means to provide information to help shift the discourse and reduce the stigmatizing attitudes towards use. A recent national survey of Canadians aged 16 to 30 years found that while viewing advertisements and educational messages about cannabis was uncommon (less than one-third of participants reported seeing messages about cannabis in the past year), digital media was the most common place for encountering public health messages regarding cannabis use [ 34 ]. This suggests a need for expansion of education-based prevention programs through various channels including digital and television media in addition to schools to ensure it reaches the targeted youth population.…”

Cannabis Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults: a Scoping Review

“…Four studies reported on youth and young adults’ harm perceptions of cannabis vaping [ 176 , 177 , 181 , 191 ]. One study reported that young adults perceived combustible (e.g., smoked, via a joint or pipe) cannabis as more harmful than vaporized cannabis; however, chemicals (e.g., butane) used make cannabis concentrates were thought to be a source of harm [ 181 ].…”

“…Studies also reported uncertainty about the safety and harms of cannabis vaping compared to other forms of use [ 177 , 191 ]. One study reported that youth and young adult cannabis vapers had lower odds of perceiving harm from daily cannabis use in any form, when compared to never cannabis users [ 176 ]. Risk factors and reasons for use associated with cannabis vaping among youth and young adults are summarized in Table 2 .…”

Examination of cannabis use patterns, heavy user characteristics, and cannabis-related harms: results from 2012-2013 US national cross-sectional survey data

“…However, this finding is not self-evident as literature has shown that the general public, particularly cannabis users, do not perceive cannabis use as harmful. In addition, within the public discourse, there is the perception that cannabis use has few negative consequences on health (Gali et al, 2021;Leos-Toro et al, 2020). For example, Leos-Toro et al (2020) reported that never and ever users were more likely to report cannabis-related physical concerns than current users (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI [1.26,2.85], p = 0.002; AOR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.07,2.31], p = 0.002, respectively).…”

“…In addition, within the public discourse, there is the perception that cannabis use has few negative consequences on health (Gali et al, 2021;Leos-Toro et al, 2020). For example, Leos-Toro et al (2020) reported that never and ever users were more likely to report cannabis-related physical concerns than current users (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI [1.26,2.85], p = 0.002; AOR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.07,2.31], p = 0.002, respectively). In addition, the study found that ever and current users were less likely to report that using cannabis may harm their mental health compared to never users (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.31,0.74], p = 0.001; AOR = 0.35, 95% CI [0.22,0.56], p <0.001, respectively).…”