Medical and non-medical cannabis use in Canada, 2019/2020

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Release date: October 17, 2022

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Infographic: Medical and non-medical cannabis use in Canada – 2019/2020 — Description: Medical and non-medical cannabis use in Canada – 2019/2020

“An analysis of cannabis consumption among the population aged 15 or older in the previous 12 months based on data from the 2019/2020 Canadian Community Health Survey”

Medical and Non-Medical Cannabis Use

In 2019/2020, 21% of people aged 15 and older reported consuming cannabis in the past 12 months.

More specifically, 13% used cannabis exclusively for non-medical purposes, 5% used cannabis for both medical and non-medical purposes, and 4% for medical purposes only.

Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Province/Territory (appearing as row headers), Non-medical only users, Medical/non-medical users and Medical only users (appearing as column headers).
Province/Territory Non-medical only users Medical/non-medical users Medical only users

N.L. 13% 5%^{Note E: Use with caution} 4%

P.E.I. 11% 9% 5%^{Note E: Use with caution}

N.S. 14% 8% 7%

N.B. 12% 5% 6%

Que. 13% 2% 1%

Ont. 12% 5% 4%

Man. 11% 6% 4%

Sask. 11% 6% 3%

Alta. 13% 8% 4%

B.C. 12% 7% 5%

Y.T./N.W.T./Nvt. 21% 10% 4%^{Note E: Use with caution}

Top reasons for medical use^{Note 1}

Among people who reported consuming cannabis for medical reasons, a higher proportion of 15 to 19 year olds reported using cannabis to treat symptoms of anxiety or depression

Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Age Group (appearing as row headers), Pain, Anxiety or depression and Problems sleeping (appearing as column headers).
Age Group Pain Anxiety or depression Problems sleeping

Total- aged 15 or older 59% 36% 37%

15-19 39% 63% 28%^{Note E: Use with caution}

20-24 47% 48% 43%

25-44 54% 43% 38%

45-64 67% 26% 36%

65+ 72% 12% 29%

The method chosen to consume cannabis varies by reasons for use. Relative to non-medical users, a lower proportion of medical users chose smoking as the main consumption method.

Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Method used most often (appearing as row headers), Non-Medical only Users, Medical/non-medical users and Medical only users (appearing as column headers).
Method used most often Non-Medical only Users Medical/non-medical users Medical only users

Smoked 73% 70% 38%

Vaporized 10% 13% 9%

Consumed in food or drink 15% 14% 28%

Other 2% 3% 25%

^E use with caution.

**Note:** Respondents who reported consuming cannabis once in their life, occurring in the previous 12 months, were excluded from the analysis.

**Source:** Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2019/2020

Notes

Footnote 1.

Includes people who consumed cannabis for medical only purposes and people who consumed for both medical and non-medical reasons.

Return to note 1 referrer

Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Province/Territory (appearing as row headers), Non-medical only users, Medical/non-medical users and Medical only users (appearing as column headers).
Province/Territory	Non-medical only users	Medical/non-medical users	Medical only users
N.L.	13%	5%^{Note E: Use with caution}	4%
P.E.I.	11%	9%	5%^{Note E: Use with caution}
N.S.	14%	8%	7%
N.B.	12%	5%	6%
Que.	13%	2%	1%
Ont.	12%	5%	4%
Man.	11%	6%	4%
Sask.	11%	6%	3%
Alta.	13%	8%	4%
B.C.	12%	7%	5%
Y.T./N.W.T./Nvt.	21%	10%	4%^{Note E: Use with caution}

Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Age Group (appearing as row headers), Pain, Anxiety or depression and Problems sleeping (appearing as column headers).
Age Group	Pain	Anxiety or depression	Problems sleeping
Total- aged 15 or older	59%	36%	37%
15-19	39%	63%	28%^{Note E: Use with caution}
20-24	47%	48%	43%
25-44	54%	43%	38%
45-64	67%	26%	36%
65+	72%	12%	29%

Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Method used most often (appearing as row headers), Non-Medical only Users, Medical/non-medical users and Medical only users (appearing as column headers).
Method used most often	Non-Medical only Users	Medical/non-medical users	Medical only users
Smoked	73%	70%	38%
Vaporized	10%	13%	9%
Consumed in food or drink	15%	14%	28%
Other	2%	3%	25%

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Note of appreciation

Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

Standards of service to the public

Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients.

Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified:: 2022-10-17

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Medical and non-medical cannabis use in Canada, 2019/2020

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