The number of people who used cannabis in 2023 has dropped in Quebec according to preliminary survey results from the Quebec Cannabis Survey.
The province surveyed 13,209 individuals between February and July 2023 to measure changes in cannabis use in Quebec. It found that the proportion of people who used cannabis in the previous year decreased from 19% in 2022 to 17% in 2023.
The complete Quebec Cannabis Survey results will be available in April 2024.
Cannabis Consumption in Montreal
Health Montreal shared more data from the survey results specific to cannabis consumption and practices in Montreal.
Unlike the rest of the province, there has been an increase in cannabis use; 23% of Montrealers used cannabis in the past year compared to 23% in 2022 and 17% in 2018.
Consumption differs by age group. There was an increase observed in people aged 35-44 years and those 55 and over. There was no increase noted in individuals aged 15-17 and 18-24 years.
Change in Use Practices
The frequency of cannabis use remains stable in Montreal but the modes of use have become more diverse since legalization:
- Smoking used by 93% of respondents in 2018 compared to 80% in 2022
- Edibles used by 38% of respondents in 2018 compared to 36% in 2022
- Oral drops used by 17% of respondents in 2019 compared 34% in 2022
- Beverages used by 6% of respondents in 2018 compared to 21% in 2022
- Capsules used by 5% of respondents in 2019 compared to 17% in 2022
- Vaporizing used by 17% of respondents in 2019 compared to 19% in 2022
- Vaping used by 16% of respondents in 2019 compared to 20% in 2022
Smoking is decreasing but is still the most popular mode of consumption. Edibles has seen no significant change and is the second most popular. Oral drops, beverages, and capsules are increasing, while there has been no significant change to vaporizing and vaping.
Transition from Illicit to Legal Market
There has been a notable transfer from the illicit to the legal market in Montreal over the last few years: 68% of respondents purchased cannabis from the SQDC in 2022, up from 46% in 2019.
The survey also found that 44% of respondents got cannabis from a friend, family member or acquaintance in 2022, down from 79% in 2018.
Changing Social Norms
Social acceptance of cannabis in Montreal has increased significantly. In 2022, 63% of Montrealers stated that it is acceptable to consume cannabis occasionally for non-medical purposes, compared to 47% in 2018.
The perception of risk has also increased. In 2022, 21% of Montrealers considered that consuming cannabis occasionally posed no health risks, compared to 25% in 2018. Similarly, in 2022, 43% of Montrealers considered that consuming cannabis occasionally posed minimal health risks, compared to 36% in 2018.
Cheapest Cannabis in the World
Earlier this year, the Centre for Advancing Health (CFAH) released its 2023 Global Cannabis Price Index and found that Montreal has the cheapest cannabis in the world.
CFAH collected data on cannabis prices from 140 cities worldwide and ranked them from least costly to most expensive for both legal and illicit cannabis. Legal cannabis in Montreal is priced the lowest in the world at $5.9 USD per gram.