|
As with alcohol, cannabis use is highest among young people. The results of the 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey* indicate 35% of 15- to 24-year olds have used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months.
Rates of use decline with age. About 24% of 25- to 34-year-olds report using cannabis in the past year while only 19% of 35- to 44-year-olds and 15% of 45- to 54-year-olds are current users. Approximately 6% of 55- to 64-year-olds and 2% of seniors have used cannabis in the past year.
Overall in BC, males are more likely than females to use cannabis. Approximately 21% of males and 13% of females report using cannabis at least once in the previous year.
Differences are most pronounced among 45- to-54-year-olds (21% of males use cannabis compared to 8% of females). Variations are also notable among 25- to-44-year-olds with approximately10% more males than females using cannabis at least once in the past year.
Based on the results of three national surveys of alcohol and illicit drug use conducted in 1989, 1994 and 2004, there is evidence that cannabis use in BC has steadily increased from 1989 to 2004 for both men and women. Past year rates for 2004 are almost double the rates for 1989.
It should be noted, however, that it is not known to what extent lower response rates in the 2004 survey, compared to those in 1989 and 1994, may have influenced these results.
*The survey sample included 3,000 British Columbians aged 15 and older.
|