Historique
Article de Périodique
International differences in patterns of cannabis use among youth: Prevalence, perceptions of harm, and driving under the influence in Canada, England & United States (2019)
Auteur(s) :
WADSWORTH, E. ;
HAMMOND, D.
Année
2019
Page(s) :
171-175
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Discipline :
EPI (Epidémiologie / Epidemiology)
Thésaurus géographique
CANADA
;
ANGLETERRE
;
ROYAUME-UNI
;
ETATS-UNIS
Thésaurus mots-clés
CANNABIS
;
COMPARAISON
;
ADOLESCENT
;
PREVALENCE
;
PERCEPTION
;
CONDUITE DE VEHICULE
Résumé :
Introduction: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in the world. An increasing number of jurisdictions have legalized medical and non-medical cannabis; comparisons across jurisdictions can help evaluate the impact of these policy innovations. The current study examined patterns of cannabis use among youth in Canada (CA), England (EN) and the United States (US). At the time of study, non-medical cannabis use was prohibited federally in all three countries; however, medical cannabis was accessible with varying restrictions in CA, EN and most US states, while non-medical cannabis was legal in four US states.
Methods: Data come from an international online survey conducted in July 2017 (n = 12,064). Youth, aged 16-19, were asked about cannabis consumption, perceived access to cannabis, perceptions of harm, and driving after cannabis use. All estimates represent weighted data.
Results: US youth were more likely to report more frequent cannabis consumption, easier access, lower perceptions of harm, and higher rates of driving after cannabis use than CA and EN youth. CA youth reported more frequent consumption, easier access, and higher rates of driving after cannabis use than EN youth.
Conclusion: CA and US youth had higher prevalence of use, easier access, lower perceived harm and higher driving rates after cannabis use in comparison to EN. These differences may reflect more permissive cannabis policies in CA and US, as well as pre-existing trends. Future waves of the international cannabis study will examine trends over time within the same countries after cannabis legalization in CA and additional US states.
Highlights:
Study examines patterns of cannabis use among youth in Canada, England and the US.
Substantial differences between CA, EN & US in perceptions and prevalence of use.
Differences may reflect permissiveness of cannabis policies as well as pre-existing trends.
Methods: Data come from an international online survey conducted in July 2017 (n = 12,064). Youth, aged 16-19, were asked about cannabis consumption, perceived access to cannabis, perceptions of harm, and driving after cannabis use. All estimates represent weighted data.
Results: US youth were more likely to report more frequent cannabis consumption, easier access, lower perceptions of harm, and higher rates of driving after cannabis use than CA and EN youth. CA youth reported more frequent consumption, easier access, and higher rates of driving after cannabis use than EN youth.
Conclusion: CA and US youth had higher prevalence of use, easier access, lower perceived harm and higher driving rates after cannabis use in comparison to EN. These differences may reflect more permissive cannabis policies in CA and US, as well as pre-existing trends. Future waves of the international cannabis study will examine trends over time within the same countries after cannabis legalization in CA and additional US states.
Highlights:
Study examines patterns of cannabis use among youth in Canada, England and the US.
Substantial differences between CA, EN & US in perceptions and prevalence of use.
Differences may reflect permissiveness of cannabis policies as well as pre-existing trends.
Affiliation :
School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada