Study: Preparing the social statistics system for the legalization of cannabis

Released: 2018-10-12

In this special edition of Insights on Canadian Society, Statistics Canada outlines how the social statistical system will be affected by and responds to the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use.

In anticipation of legislation (Bill C-45) legalizing cannabis for non-medical use coming into force, Statistics Canada has undertaken a review of its capability to evaluate the bill's impact.

This document focuses on the agency's social statistics system—specifically, surveys and administrative databases designed to collect information related to health and health care; law enforcement; the justice system and community safety and well-being; education; and labour. While the system of social statistics captures information on this topic, updates will be required.

The paper "Preparing the social statistics system for the legalization of cannabis" provides a summary of the work that is now under way toward these ends. It describes recent adjustments and initiatives undertaken to enhance the capability of assessing the impact of legalizing cannabis for non-medical use on health and social institutions, and measuring outcomes against the legislation's objectives.

Products

The article "Preparing the social statistics system for the legalization of cannabis" is now available in Insights on Canadian Society (Catalogue number75-006-X).

Contact information

For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).

To enquire about the concepts of this release, contact Yvan Clermont (613-951-3326; yvan.clermont@canada.ca).

For more information on Insights on Canadian Society, contact Sébastien LaRochelle-Côté (613-951-0803; sebastien.larochelle-cote@canada.ca).