Summary
"Cannabis is the most prevalent illicit substance used by Canadians 15 years of age and older (Health Canada, 2012a). Its use has been linked to a number of both short- and long-term health consequences, including depression, paranoia, cancer, learning problems, and memory and attention deficits (Kalant, 2004).
While several studies examined the prevalence of cannabis use by age and sex, fewer studies have examined differences in cannabis use and its related harms and behaviours between urban and rural populations. The results of these studies are mixed; some studies indicate lower cannabis use rates among rural populations compared to urban (Gfroerer, Larson, & Colliver, 2007; Martino, Ellickson, & McCaffrey, 2008), while others suggest higher rates (Coomber et al., 2011). Still others found the rates of cannabis use to be similar between urban and rural populations (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2012; Cronk & Sarvela, 1997; Scheer, Borden, & Donnermeyer, 2000).
In addition to the mixed findings, the terms “urban” and “rural” are inconsistently defined among existing studies. For the purpose of this paper, we have adopted the definitions used by Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada defines urban as an area of Canada with a population of at least 1,000 and no fewer than 400 persons per square kilometer and a rural area as any area where the population does not meet the urban criteria.
The majority of existing studies were conducted in the United States and focused, primarily, on student and youth populations. To date, no study has examined differences in cannabis use and risky behaviours and harms between urban and rural populations in Canada.
This paper fills an information gap by comparing contemporary national data on the prevalence of cannabis use and related behaviours and harms between urban and rural populations in Canada. It is intended for policy makers, substance use treatment and prevention program developers, and researchers. The information included in this report can inform efforts aimed at reducing the harms associated with cannabis use, as well as related risky behaviours.
The report’s objectives are to identify and compare between urban and rural populations in Canada:
The lifetime, past-year and past-month prevalence of cannabis use; and
The prevalence of harms and risky behaviours associated with cannabis use.
Three risky behaviours and harms are examined: driving after cannabis use; being a passenger of a driver who has used cannabis; and experiencing a social, legal or financial problem associated with cannabis use. These parameters were selected from an existing list used by Health Canada for the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS)."--Page 4.