Trends and Socio-Demographic Differences of Cannabis Vaping in the USA and Canada

Abstract

Given the rise in cannabis vaping, it is important to highlight the heterogeneity in vaping different cannabis product because of the potential differences in their health risks. This study aims to estimate the trends and socio-demographic correlates of the use of various cannabis vaping products across jurisdiction with different legal status. Data from the 2018 (n = 27,169) and 2019 (n = 47,747) waves of the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) were used. Respondents aged 16–65 completed web-based surveys. In 2019, proportions of past year vaping of cannabis oil, dried flower and concentrates in the overall sample were highest in U.S. jurisdictions where cannabis was legalized for non-medical use (17.4%, 6.0%, 4.9%), followed by U.S. jurisdiction where non-medical cannabis use is illegal (13.7%, 5.8%, 2.9%), and lowest in Canada (8.1%, 4.4%, 2.1%). Vaping dried flower decreased from 2019 to 2018 in U.S. legal jurisdictions and Canada, while vaping cannabis oil and concentrates increased in all jurisdictions (p < 0.001). The odds of vaping all forms of products were higher among younger respondents (16–55 years), males, respondents with some college education, and persons with low-risk perceptions on daily cannabis vaping. In both ICPS surveys (2018 and 2019), cannabis oil was the most frequently vaped products, followed by dried flower, and concentrates. Detailed measures of product forms for cannabis vaping should be considered in future surveys.

Theory-based correlates of cannabis use and intentions among US and Israeli adults: a mixed methods study

“…Regarding use characteristics, in this sample of US and Israeli adults, US participants more likely reported lifetime (~ 50% vs. ~ 23%) and current use (22% vs. ~ 11%), and more likely obtained cannabis from legal sources (e.g., retail) and used primarily recreationally and via forms alternative to smoking (e.g., vaping, dabbing, edibles). These findings may reflect differences in access, product types, and marketing in the US resulting from legalization (as nearly half of US states have legalized non-medical cannabis [ 15 ]), proximity to legal markets, and/or shifts in social norms that have resulted from legalization [ 13 , 28 , 30 – 32 ]. Compared to 2020 data indicating past-year use prevalence of 17% among US adults and 27% among Israeli adults [ 14 ], current results indicated lower use rates among Israeli participants (likely due to different assessment timeframes, i.e., past 30-day vs. past-year) but higher use rates among US participants; this may reflect the sample’s restricted age range [ 18 – 45 ], as 2021 national data indicated 19.6% past-year use, with rates highest among 18–25 and 26–49 year-olds (35.4% and 24.6%) [ 49 ].…”

“…As legislative contexts have shifted in these 2 distinct countries with high cannabis use rates, cannabis-related perceptions and use-related behaviors are likely to change [ 21 – 27 ]. For example, cannabis legalization may be associated with more favorable perceptions (e.g., lower perceived risk, greater social norms) and increased use intentions among young adults [ 21 ], higher use prevalence and levels among youth [ 22 , 28 ], greater use among adults with children living in the home [ 29 ], and changes in use motives (e.g., recreational vs. medical), modes of use, and product source among those using cannabis [ 13 , 28 , 30 – 32 ]. However, the evidence is mixed [ 33 ].…”

Exploring medical cannabis use in individuals with a traumatic brain injury

“…The ideal route of administration for a patient will depend on whether they are seeking to treat acute or chronic symptoms [51]. Inhalation methods (e.g., vaporization and smoking) are best suited for acute symptoms due to a quicker onset of action [61], and vaping is seeing increased use in the community [62]. Ingestion methods (e.g., cannabis oils) are best suited for chronic symptoms due to a longer duration of action [61].…”

“…Inhalation methods (e.g., vaporization and smoking) are best suited for acute symptoms due to a quicker onset of action [61], and vaping is seeing increased use in the community [62]. Ingestion methods (e.g., cannabis oils) are best suited for chronic symptoms due to a longer duration of action [61]. The switch to using cannabis oils seen within this sample suggests that most patients are likely seeking the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of chronic symptoms.…”