Notice of release
Québec, December 15, 2022. – Taking up smoking, heavy drinking and hyperactive behaviours in early adolescence are associated with cannabis use later in adolescence or in early adulthood. This is one of the findings from the most recent analysis of the data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD).
As part of this study, the Institut has been following a cohort of young people born in Québec in 1997–1998 from the beginning of their lives. Thanks to data collection rounds carried out when they were 15, 17 and 20 years of age, before the legalization of cannabis, the analysis shows how cannabis use has evolved and highlights certain behaviours that predispose teenagers and young adults to use cannabis.
It is no surprise that the proportion of young people who have used cannabis increases between the age of 15 and 20. The results also show that regular cannabis use (once a week or more) at age 20 is mainly due to taking up smoking at an early age (at age 15 or earlier) and already being a regular cannabis user in adolescence.