Cannabis use among Canadians 15 years and older increased more than twofold between 1985 and 2015, according to new data released this week by Statistics Canada, indicating that the potential market for recreational cannabis is still growing.
Adult-use marijuana is expected to be legalized federally in Canada late this summer.
The new data – released this week in Health Reports, published by the Health Analysis Division of Statistics Canada – showed that 12.3% of Canadians consumed cannabis in 2015, more than double the 5.6% reported in 1985.
The study examined long-term trends in cannabis use for the first time by comparing nine national surveys.
The surveys also showed that cannabis use since 2004 increased fastest among people 25 or older.
While use decreased among 18- to 24-year-olds over the same period, the heaviest use in 2015 was in this demographic.
In January, Canada’s national statistics agency launched the Cannabis Stats Hub to bring more clarity to the economic and social aspects of cannabis, including information on consumption and prices.
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