Trends in youth cannabis use across cannabis legalization: Data from the COMPASS prospective cohort study

Zuckermann, Alexandra M.E.; Battista, Katelyn; Bélanger, Richard E.; Haddad, Slim; Butler, Alexandra; Costello, Mary Jean; Leatherdale, Scott T.

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101351

Cited by 40 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Following cannabis legalization in Canada in 2018, the National Cannabis Survey (NCS) found that youth indicated that they would be more likely to try cannabis or increase their use in comparison to older adults [ 24 ]. While some studies suggest cannabis use patterns have remained relatively stable among substance use service seeking youth since legalization in Canada [ 25 ], others suggest that the normalization of cannabis given its’ legal status has subsequently increased cannabis use among youth population, even though cannabis still remains illegal for many youth [ 22 , 26 ]. Specifically, in Canada, it is illegal for youth under the age of 18 in most provinces, and 21 in Quebec, to purchase and consume cannabis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, lifetime and past-year cannabis use has increased since the beginning of federal legalization, along with the proportion of participants who thought cannabis is easy to access [ 22 ]. According to the most recent wave of the longitudinal Canadian COMPASS study of students in grade 9–12, cannabis ‘ever-use’ was significantly higher in the year after legalization, suggesting increased experimentation among youth post legalization [ 26 ]. Furthermore, in a recent national survey of Canadian youth, cannabis use had increased by nearly 6% from the year prior to cannabis legalization [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Ali

Russell

Nafeh

et al. 2022

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

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Background Age is a critical factor in substance use and related outcomes, with adolescence being a particularly sensitive period. Early initiation of substance use has been linked with higher risk for developing substance use disorders. In Ontario, Canada, substance use is common among youth, yet treatment is underutilized, suggesting the potential for an unmet need in terms of substance use care. Despite these challenges, there is limited research examining factors that contribute to youth substance use and youth-specific barriers to substance use care. To fill this knowledge gap, this study sought to include the unique perspectives of service providers who work directly with youth to examine these issues. Methods We used a cross-sectional mixed-methods design to examine factors that contribute to substance use among youth and identify youth-specific barriers to substance use among a sample of 54 Ontario-based youth service providers. Data collection included an online survey completed by all study participants followed by qualitative interviews of a subsample of 16 participants. Data analysis included basic frequency tabulations for survey results and thematic qualitative analyses to identify common themes. Results Licit substances were identified as the most commonly used among youth, where 94% of respondents identified cannabis use and 81% identified alcohol use. Thematic analyses identified the role of dominant substance use discourses in normalizing certain substances (i.e., cannabis and alcohol) while also endorsing stigmatizing beliefs and sentiments. According to youth service providers, the intersection of these two discourses simultaneously lead to an increase in substance use while deterring youth from seeking substance use care. Conclusions Normalization and stigmatization are two dominant discourses around youth substance use, with important implications for public health interventions. Key public health strategies, as identified by participants, to reduce the overall negative effect of these factors include the need to reframe substance use discourse, from a moral failing to a public health issue and to educate youth about the impacts of use. To accomplish this goal educational campaigns to raise awareness around the health effects of use and address stigmatization are needed. Educational reforms are also needed to ensure that these programs are integrated into the school system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Ali

Russell

Nafeh

et al. 2022

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Using survey data linked across three study waves, and adjusting for age of entry into the cohort and self-selection bias, there was no evidence of an adverse effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on cannabis use among a sample of youth in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. In fact, despite evidence of a general increase in cannabis use among youth in Canada prior to legalization among adults [ 29 ], it appears that cannabis use was potentially attenuated during the initial pandemic period (May to July 2020) as changes in cannabis use evident here were less than would have typically been expected over this time period [ 30 ]. Continuing prospective research is needed to examine the ongoing pandemic context on youth cannabis use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the impact of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use: adjusted annual changes between the pre-COVID and initial COVID-lockdown waves of the COMPASS study

et al. 2021

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Background Given the high rates of cannabis use among Canadian youth and that adolescence is a critical period for cannabis use trajectories, the purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use in the context of a natural experiment. We used 3-year linked data from the COMPASS study, including 7653 Canadian (Quebec, Ontario) adolescents from which 1937 completed all 3 survey waves (pre-COVID-19 [2018, 2019] and online [2020] during the early pandemic period [May–July 2020]). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and double difference (DD) models were used to estimate pre-COVID-19 to initial COVID-19 pandemic period change (2019–2020) in cannabis use (monthly, weekly, daily) compared to 2018 to 2019 change to adjust for age-related effects. Models were adjusted for age of entry into the cohort and sociodemographic characteristics. Results In the SEM and DD models, monthly, weekly, and daily cannabis use increased across all waves; however, the expected increases from the pre-COVID-19 wave (2019) to the initial COVID-19 period wave (2020) were lesser relative to the changes seen across the 2018 to 2019 waves. The cross-sectional data from May to July 2020 identified that the majority of youth who use cannabis did not report increased cannabis use due to COVID-19 or using cannabis to cope with COVID-19. Conclusion During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period, there does not appear to be a detrimental effect on youth cannabis use, when adjusted for age-related changes. Further prospective research is needed to explore the impact of the ongoing pandemic response on youth cannabis use onset and progression.

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“… 16–21 Moreover, the respective legal frameworks have changed significantly (e.g. approval of medical cannabis 22 and legalization of cannabinoid use 19 , 23 ). In addition, potentially more harmful cannabinoid preparations (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence of inpatient cases with mental disorders due to use of cannabinoids in Germany: a nationwide evaluation

Gahr

Ziller

Keller

et al. 2022

European Journal of Public Health

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Background Quantitative (e.g. increasing recreational cannabinoid use) and qualitative (e.g. increasing availability and use of synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis preparations with increased tetrahydrocannabinol content) changes in cannabinoid use may be associated with changes in the prevalence of cannabinoid-related mental and behavioural disorders and, accordingly, changes in the need for medical care. We aimed to investigate if there are changes in the number of inpatient cases (ICs) due to cannabinoid-related disorders in Germany. Methods Data were obtained from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) and comprised type and number of hospital main diagnoses (according to ICD-10) of all ICs in Germany in the period 2000–18. Linear trend analysis of absolute and relative annual frequencies (AFs) of ICs with diagnoses related to the use of cannabinoids (DRUCs), and, as controls, alcohol-related psychiatric disorders and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders was performed. Results Absolute AFs of ICs with DRUCs increased statistically significantly (P<0.0001, trend analysis) in Germany between 2000 and 2018 and corresponding relative AFs increased considerably (4.8-fold increase when comparing 2000 and 2018). Specifically, absolute AFs of ICs with cannabinoid intoxications (P<0.0001), harmful use (P=0.0005), dependence syndrome (P< 0.0001), withdrawal state (P<0.0001), psychotic disorders (P< 0.0001) and residual and late-onset psychotic disorder (P<0.0001) statistically significantly increased. Absolute AFs of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders slightly, but statistically significantly decreased (P=0.008), and alcohol dependence did not statistically significantly change (P=0.844). Conclusions Our evaluation demonstrates increasing numbers of ICs with mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids in Germany and emphasizes the need for adequate prevention of such disorders.

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Trends in youth cannabis use across cannabis legalization: Data from the COMPASS prospective cohort study

Cited by 40 publications

References 74 publications

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

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

Examining the impact of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use: adjusted annual changes between the pre-COVID and initial COVID-lockdown waves of the COMPASS study

Incidence of inpatient cases with mental disorders due to use of cannabinoids in Germany: a nationwide evaluation

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