Are you high? New StatsCan survey says more people are using cannabis | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Are you high? New StatsCan survey says more people are using cannabis

Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

KELOWNA - Are you high?

According to the latest from Statistics Canada, an increasing number of people are dabbling in cannabis use and they may not be who you think they are.

In the National Cannabis Survey, for the first quarter of 2019, 5.3 million or 18 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported using cannabis in the last three months. This was higher than the 14 per cent who reported using just one year earlier, before legalization.

They say the increase could simply be chalked up to greater use among men and people between the ages of 45 and 64. 

Rates of cannabis consumption for men increased from 16 per cent to 22 per cent over this period, while 13 per cent of women reported using — the same number as this time last year.

With legalization comes some more frank discussion about where people are using and a good chunk of Canadians are apparently indulging before heading to work or while on their job.

The survey showed that more than half a million workers reported using cannabis before heading to work or while on the job.

An estimated 13 per cent (about 514,000) of Canadian workers who are current cannabis users consumed cannabis before or during work.

It was regular pot smokers who reported this tendency.

Twenty seven per cent of daily or almost daily consumers reported using before or while at work, compared with seven per cent of less frequent cannabis users.

READ MORE: Looking for a job with B.C. Cannabis Stores?

This is the first survey of its kind completed in the post-legalization period, including changes in consumption and sources of cannabis.

While it’s legal to consume, there are still some restrictions depending on where you are in the valley.

A recent report to Peachland council highlighted some of the differences in each community noting that Lake Country, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton and Osoyoos are currently following the same regulations as tobacco and vaping.

That means restrictions on any kind of smoking in any fully or substantially enclosed public place or workplace and in buffer zones such as doors, open windows and air intake vents.

Penticton and West Kelowna have each added a few extra restrictions. In Penticton they have added prohibition of cannabis use on all public roads, sidewalks, walkways, trails and all public municipal spaces. In West Kelowna they have restricted cannabis use to only being allowed on private property and added a fine of $500.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2019
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