Grant: Project Grant

On October 17, 2018, cannabis was legalized in Canada for non-medical (recreational) use. Although findings are accumulating, legalization impacts are a dynamic and unfolding process that requires continued evaluation. We have a rare opportunity to contribute to this understanding because, in the month prior to legalization, we launched a cannabis legalization surveillance study, the PATH CANN cohort. Starting with 1502 individuals, we have completed 16 waves of data collection to date, with excellent retention (median = 90%, mean =89%). We believe this is the longest running longitudinal cohort study on the impacts of cannabis legalization in Canada. This Project Grant is to extend the follow-up assessments through the first decade following legalization. Specifically, the goals are to examine: (1) changes in attitudes and perceptions about cannabis; (2) changes in cannabis consumption practices, particularly in subgroups and high risk (high THC) products; (3) how psychological/psychiatric factors relate to cannabis use following legalization. These aims will be undertaken using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In its next segment, the PATH CANN study will also examine two additional health outcomes: 1) respiratory health and 2) epigenetic aging. In addition, the study will explore sex/gender differences and age-related differences (i.e., young adults <30 vs adults 30+) in the preceding aims. Finally, we will leverage the PATH CANN study to examine how changes in cannabis use relate to changes in alcohol and tobacco use following legalization and how attitudes toward other relevant Canadian drug policies (e.g., legalization of psychedelics) are changing over time. Collectively, the next phase of this project will make major contributions to understanding the impacts of Canadian cannabis legalization, with significant national and international implications.