Perceived access to cannabis and ease of purchasing cannabis in retail stores in Canada immediately before and one year after legalization. (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wadsworth, Elle; Driezen, Pete; Chan, Gary; Hall, Wayne; Hammond, David
• Is Part Of: American journal of drug and alcohol abuse. Volume 48:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Cannabis -- marijuana -- perceived access -- proximity -- legalization; Drug abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Substance-abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.2003808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2990

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Canada legalized non-medical cannabis in October 2018. Little research has examined the change in perceived access to cannabis after legalization in Canada, including the perceived ease of purchasing cannabis in a legal market. Objectives : To: 1) describe changes in perceived ease of access to cannabis before and one year after legalization; 2) examine associations between perceived ease of cannabis access and cannabis use; and 3) examine associations between perceived ease of purchasing from cannabis stores and cannabis use. Methods : Repeat cross-sectional data come from Canadian respondents aged 16–65 (50% male) in August-October 2018 (n = 10, 057) and September-October 2019 (n = 15, 256). Respondents were recruited through commercial online panels. Multivariable logistic regression models examined correlates of perceived proximity to retail stores, ease of access, and ease of purchasing from retail stores. Results : Canadians who do not consume cannabis were more likely to report "easy" access to cannabis in 2019 than in 2018 (55% vs. 42%; AOR = 1.80:1.66, 1.96). All cannabis consumer groups were more likely to report living 15 minutes or less from a retail store in 2019 than 2018, but the association was strongest among non-consumers in 2019 vs 2018 (AOR = 2.01:183, 2.21 vs. AOR = 1.33:1.03, 1.73 for daily consumers). Non-daily and daily cannabis consumers were more likely to report it was easy to purchase from an illegal (AOR ranged 1.58–2.22) or legal (AOR ranged 1.31–1.39) store than non-consumers in 2019. Conclusion : Most cannabis consumers and non-consumers perceived access to cannabis as 'easy' before legalization and the percentage increased one year after legalization.