A recent study led by Marie-Pierre Sylvestre, a professor at the Université de Montréal School of Public Health, has examined patterns of cannabis use among Quebec adults several years after the legalization of cannabis in Canada. The research takes a different approach by focusing on people who have a low risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD), rather than only those considered at risk.
The study, with Guillaume Dubé as lead author, analyzed data from 731 adults in their mid-thirties. Of those who had used cannabis in the past year—about 44% of participants—63% were identified as having a low risk for CUD.
Researchers found notable differences between groups based on their risk levels. "Lower-risk cannabis users resemble non-users more than higher-risk users," said Dubé. "The latter are more often male, have lower levels of education, and present more mental health problems, particularly anxiety."
Jean-Sébastien Fallu, professor at the Université de Montréal School of Psychoeducation and co-author, noted the significance of these findings: "This research supports a change in attitude and perspective: rather than focusing almost exclusively on at-risk consumption profiles or those associated with problems, let's turn our attention to an aspect too often unconsidered, even obscured—that is, non-problematic cannabis use."
The frequency of cannabis use was found to be most strongly linked to high CUD risk. Other factors such as using both tobacco and cannabis or having symptoms of anxiety were also associated with increased risk. In contrast, using cannabis socially rather than alone was linked to lower CUD risk.
The analysis showed that women and individuals who used both alcohol and cannabis tended to have lower-risk usage patterns. On the other hand, combining tobacco and cannabis use marked a significant difference between higher- and lower-risk users.
Sylvestre highlighted the importance of these findings for public policy: "Our results underscore the importance of harm reduction strategies and evidence-based education for cannabis-related policies."
The team recommends that public health officials provide factual information about both positive and negative effects related to cannabis consumption.
"Like alcohol, cannabis has been consumed since the dawn of humanity. Psychoactive substance use carries risks, regardless of the substance. For adults who wish to use cannabis, there are practices to maximize its benefits and reduce these risks," Dubé said.
The research is based on data from the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study—a long-term project following Quebecers since 1999—with data collected during 2022-2023, four to five years after Canada legalized recreational cannabis.
