6 years after the legalization of cannabis in Canada, 5% of purchases are still made through illegal sources

L’Canadian Cannabis Survey 2024 highlights current trends among cannabis users in Canada, documenting not only the sources from which cannabis is sourced, but also consumption patterns and perceptions of cannabis-related risks over time.

Changing consumer habits

Smoking cannabis remains the most common form of consumption in Canada. However, its prevalence has declined considerably. In 2018, 89% of cannabis users said they smoked; by 2024, this figure had fallen to 69%, This suggests a greater diversification of consumption methods.

The second most popular method, the ingestion of cannabis-infused products, has seen a steady increase in adoption. In 2018, 43% consumers reported having ingested edibles, against 57 % in 2024. Vaping, which includes vaporization of dried cannabis or liquid and solid extracts, now represents 37% consumption. These trends indicate that Canadians are increasingly preferring non-tobacco alternatives.

Legal and irregular sources

The legalizing cannabis in Canada has considerably reduced the market share of illegal sources. In 2019, only 37 % of consumers have bought cannabis legally. By 2024, 72% of respondents will claim to have obtained their cannabis from legal retailers. Irregular sources now account for only 5 % Purchasing, including 3% come from illegal sources and 2 % from non-regulated stores in First Nations communities.

Social sources, such as friends and family, always play a role, 15% of consumers to obtain cannabis in this way.

Monthly spending on cannabis has fallen slightly over the years, from an average of 73 $ in 2018 à 63 $ in 2024, a figure unchanged from 2023. Consumption frequency, however, saw modest growth. In 2018, 22% of Canadians reported having consumed cannabis in the previous 12 months. By 2024, this figure had risen to 26%, although it has now reached a plateau compared with the previous year.

After years of steady growth, cannabis sales in Canada are beginning to level off. This trend is consistent with the findings of the Canadian Community Health Survey, which shows a decline in the number of Canadians over 18 who have used cannabis in the past 12 months or daily by 2023.

The daily consumption or near-daily consumption of cannabis remains relatively low, with 6% of Canadians in 2024. This group represents 24% of all consumers, The fluctuation over the years has been minimal.

Perceptions of cannabis and driving

In 2024, 18% of respondents admitted to having driving after using cannabis, against 15% in 2023. This figure is still lower than 27% declared in 2018, This suggests some improvement since legalization, but highlights a persistent problem.

Interestingly, the public is very aware of the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis. Among consumers, 78% think that cannabis use impairs driving ability, while 13% say it depends, and 6% deny any alteration.