Québec, April 11, 2024. – In 2023, nearly 17% of Quebecers aged 15 and over had used cannabis in the past 12 months. This proportion was 19% in 2022. A decrease was also observed between 2022 and 2023 among those aged 15 to 20 (25% vs. 23%) and those aged 35 and over (14% vs. 12%). This was revealed in the report on the Québec Cannabis Survey 2023 released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec. The survey was conducted among 13,200 people from February to July 2023.
Methods of cannabis use in 2023
Nearly 81% of Quebecers who used cannabis in the past year smoked it. Use of edibles was also common, as about 31% of cannabis users reported eating it in food. Nearly 23% of those who used cannabis consumed it as oral drops, and 25% vaped it.
Cannabis vaping especially popular among young people
Nearly 73% of young people aged 15 to 17 who used cannabis in the past year vaped it. This proportion was 55% among those aged 18 to 20 who used cannabis in the past year. This represents 12% of all Quebecers aged 15 to 17 and 15% of those aged 18 to 20.
Almost half of young people aged 15 to 20 who vaped cannabis in the past 12 months did so less than one day a month, and about a quarter of them vaped 1 to 3 days a month. While this frequency is quite low, cannabis vaping may be risky for young people because they are less likely than their older counterparts to know how much THC is in the products they are vaping.
Supply sources used by people who vape cannabis
Those who vaped cannabis in the past year relied on one or more of the following sources to obtain their vaping products:
- A family member, friend or acquaintance: 67%
- In person, from a legal source in another province: 25%
- In person from an illegal supplier: 11%
- Internet: 23%
Note that cannabis vaping products are not legally available in Québec.
Read the highlights (in French only)
Read the full report (PDF) (in French only)
The Québec Cannabis Survey (QCS) aims to measure changes in cannabis use in Québec. The survey was first conducted in 2018 before the legalization of cannabis, then again in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Data collection for QCS 2023 took place from February 1 to July 2, 2023. This survey not only monitors emerging trends, but also tracks indicators such as methods of cannabis use, reasons for using, context of use, sources of supply, risk of problematic use, social norms, and perceptions towards cannabis.
For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec has been producing, analyzing, and disseminating official, objective and high-quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.