Table 6 Key findings for reasons for increased and decreased cannabis use during the pandemic
From: The COVID-19 pandemic and cannabis use in Canada―a scoping review
Consumption pattern | Study | Key findings |
|---|---|---|
Reasons for increased use | (Statistics 2021) | ¬ CPSS 6 respondents reported stress (65%), boredom (58%), loneliness (39%), convenience (lack of regular schedule and being at home) (38%), and ease of access (29%) as the most frequently reported factors contributing to increased consumption of cannabis during the pandemic. |
(Bartel et al. 2020) | ¬ Self-isolation and coping with depression were reported as motives for cannabis use during the pandemic. ¬ Cannabis consumption increased by 31% during the pandemic among those who always used cannabis to cope with depression. ¬ Participants who participated in self-isolation were using 20% more cannabis than those who did not self-isolate. | |
(Imtiaz et al. 2021) | ¬ Risk characteristics associated with higher odds of an increase in cannabis use included (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals): • Residing in the central region of Canada (1.93, 1.03–3.62) • 18 to 29 years old (2.61, 1.32–5.17) or 30 to 49 years old (1.85, 1.07–3.19) • Less than a college or university education (1.86, 1.13–3.06) • Concern about the pandemic’s impact on personal finances (1.73, 1.00–3.00) | |
Reasons for decreased use | (Statistics 2021) | ¬ Data from the CPSS 6 reported the following as reasons associated with decreased cannabis consumption during the pandemic: • The negative effects of cannabis (64%), • Decreased opportunities for socializing (28%), • Family and work obligations and responsibilities (16%) |