Statistics Canada releases new data on home cannabis cultivation in Canada

In mid-September, Statistics Canada released new data on home cultivation that examines its impact in Canada before and after legalization.

L’study shows that the groups most likely to grow their own cannabis at home have remained relatively unchanged since legalization, with some demographic groups showing a slight increase or decrease.

Those most likely to do so are men between the ages of 35 and 55 who live in the Atlantic provinces, followed by those in British Columbia and Ontario. Reported home cultivation is least common in the Prairies. Home cultivation is not permitted in Manitoba and Quebec. The Two provinces are facing legal challenges of this ban.

Although men are more likely to grow cannabis at home, the number of women who reported doing so has increased since legalization. The number of Canadian men over the age of 55 who reported growing their own cannabis at home has actually decreased since legalization.

Home growers are more likely to use cannabis for medical reasons (or a combination of medical and non-medical reasons) every day or almost every day, and report «smoking» as their primary method of use.

Data previously available from 2019 show that nearly 10 % of Canadians who use cannabis grow it themselves or have someone else grow it for them, which would include people participating in Canada’s medical cannabis program.

More specifically, recent data covered by this study show that approximately 5.2 % of cannabis users reported growing it at home after legalization. This percentage is slightly higher than that of people who reported doing so before legalization (4.8 %).

Although the researchers who authored the report are not certain why Atlantic Canada has seen higher rates of home cultivation, they speculate that the lower number of legal cannabis stores in the region could be a contributing factor compared to other provinces that allow home cultivation.

Growing cannabis at home is also linked to cannabis use at work, but not for driving while impaired by cannabis. It is interesting to note that, according to a recent study, laws permitting home cultivation are associated with a reduction in fatal workplace accidents.

While the researchers found that growing cannabis at home is associated with use in the workplace, they also note that this does not necessarily translate into a greater risk of harm, arguing that it is possible that cannabis is being used for medical purposes by workers who consume products with low THC content.

The report concludes that further research is needed to examine how and why home growers are at increased risk of using cannabis in the workplace.

The impact of growing cannabis at home is also part of the’Mandatory triennial review of the Cannabis Act by Health Canada, which was scheduled to begin in October 2021. The federal agency has not yet published this review, but is expected to do so later this month.