Mental Health and Medical Cannabis Use among Youth and Young Adults in Canada

Abstract

Background: In October 2018, Canada became the second country to legalize non-medical cannabis. However, medical cannabis has been legally available in Canada since 2001 and, in 2015, approximately 800,000 Canadians reported using cannabis for medical purposes. Mental health is a common reason reported for using medical cannabis. Objectives: The current study examined perceived mental health among four groups: (1) Non/ex-users; (2) Recent non-medical users; (3) Recent unauthorized medical users; and (4) Recent authorized medical users. Methods: A total of 867 Canadian cannabis users and nonusers aged 16 to 30 were recruited through an online consumer panel in 2017, one year before non-medical cannabis legalization. Logistic and multinomial regression models were fitted to examine differences among cannabis use status and mental health measures. All estimates represent weighted data. Results: Self-reported emotional and mental health problems were higher among unauthorized (83.9%) and authorized medical cannabis users (83.2%) compared to non-medical users and non/ex-users (44.5% and 39.5%, respectively). Medical users were more likely to report using cannabis to manage or improve mental health problems than non-medical users (p < .001). There were few differences between unauthorized and authorized medical users, and between non/ex-users and non-medical users. Conclusions: The findings highlight a discrepancy between the recommendation that individuals with some mental health problems should avoid cannabis and the widespread practice of using cannabis to manage mental health. Education and reduced stigma around using cannabis after legalization in Canada may help address users coming forwards regarding use of cannabis for mental health problems.

Keywords:

• Cannabis
• marijuana
• mental health
• medical marijuana
• young adult

Declaration of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research—Project Bridge Grant (Marijuana legalization: Impact on prevalence and risk behaviors among youth and young adults in Canada). Additional support was provided by a CIHR-Public Health Agency of Canada Applied Chair in Public Health, and a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The funders had no involvement in project implementation, data analysis or reporting.