An Insights West poll released on March 20 reveals a (not surprising) spike in cannabis use since legalization last fall.
“Nearly one quarter (23%) of the general Canadian adult 19+ population has consumed cannabis in any shape or form since legalization, a full 16% of cannabis users report an increase in consumption since that day and 5% are new cannabis users,” noted the study, called The Future of Cannabis in Canada.
The survey also suggests a “strong future demand” for edibles, with 36 per cent of respondents saying they take edibles on a regular/occasional basis.
The Insights West study also determined that “the black and grey market for buying still dominates legal cannabis economy, at least for the time being.”
When looking at past-year cannabis users, the study found that more than one-third regularly or occasionally buy from friends/family (36%) or from dealers/black market (35%).
“This is slightly higher than those who regularly or occasionally buy from privately-run retail stores (32%), online privately-run retail stores (31%), or online government-run retail stores (28%),” noted Insights West.
“Interestingly, buying from dealers and the black market is most popular with those aged 35-54 (37%) compared to those aged 55+ (31%). However, when cannabis users were asked where they would prefer to buy cannabis products, the most preferred channel is retail store (47%), followed by online (23%). A further 23% have no preference, while 8% are not sure.”
The poll also found that people in B.C. and Ontario are most likely to prefer retail stores for their cannabis purchases, with 60% and 52% highlighting them as their preferred choice respectively.
While smoking cannabis is the most prevalent form of consumption, the poll highlighted “growing trends of consuming cannabis through newer methods such as edibles, vaping, oils, and in drinks.”
More than two-thirds (68%) of past-year cannabis users consume cannabis by smoking a joint, with 36% of them stating it is their regular choice of consumption, followed by 32% who say ‘occasionally.’
The poll found that vaping and oils are lower on the list at 30% and 27% respectively. A further 10% say they consume cannabis in drinkables on a regular/occasional basis.
“There have been dramatic changes to the cannabis economy since the advent of legalization, and further changes are yet to come” says Steve Mossop, President of Insights West. “Retail distribution as well as product preferences are also part of the dramatic shifts that will continue to shape the future of this dynamic industry.”
The survey was commissioned by Resonance Consultancy, in partnership with Valens GroWorks.
Results are based on an online study conducted from December 13 to December 21, 2018, among 1,001 adult British Columbians and 1,500 past-year cannabis users.
The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 2.5% 19 times out of 20 for the 1,500 past-year cannabis users, and +/- 3.1% 19 times out of 20 for the 1,001 general population Canadians.
