Trends and Socio-Demographic Differences of Cannabis Vaping in the USA and Canada

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 3;19(21):14394. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114394.

Abstract

Given the rise in cannabis vaping, it is important to highlight the heterogeneity in vaping different cannabis product because of the potential differences in their health risks. This study aims to estimate the trends and socio-demographic correlates of the use of various cannabis vaping products across jurisdiction with different legal status. Data from the 2018 (n = 27,169) and 2019 (n = 47,747) waves of the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) were used. Respondents aged 16-65 completed web-based surveys. In 2019, proportions of past year vaping of cannabis oil, dried flower and concentrates in the overall sample were highest in U.S. jurisdictions where cannabis was legalized for non-medical use (17.4%, 6.0%, 4.9%), followed by U.S. jurisdiction where non-medical cannabis use is illegal (13.7%, 5.8%, 2.9%), and lowest in Canada (8.1%, 4.4%, 2.1%). Vaping dried flower decreased from 2019 to 2018 in U.S. legal jurisdictions and Canada, while vaping cannabis oil and concentrates increased in all jurisdictions (p < 0.001). The odds of vaping all forms of products were higher among younger respondents (16-55 years), males, respondents with some college education, and persons with low-risk perceptions on daily cannabis vaping. In both ICPS surveys (2018 and 2019), cannabis oil was the most frequently vaped products, followed by dried flower, and concentrates. Detailed measures of product forms for cannabis vaping should be considered in future surveys.

Keywords: cannabis; cannabis vaping; marijuana vaping.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Cannabis*
  • Demography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking* / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Vaping* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Analgesics

Grants and funding