Citation

Tuck A, Hamilton HA, Agic B, Ialomiteanu AR, Mann RE. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017; 179: 93-99.

Affiliation

Population Health and Community Transformation (PHACT), Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St., Toronto, ON, Canada,; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.06.022

PMID

28763781

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rates of cannabis use differ around the world; in Ontario, the rate of use has been stable since about 2005. Understanding which population groups are at greater risk for problematic cannabis use can help reduce long-term health effects and service expenses. The aim of this study was to explore differences in cannabis use among Canadian adults of different ethnic origins living in Ontario.

METHODS: Data are based on telephone interviews with 11,560 respondents and are derived from multiple cycles (2005-2011) of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's (CAMH) Monitor survey, an ongoing cross-sectional survey of adults in Ontario, Canada, aged 18 years and older. Data were analyzed using bivariate cross-tabulations and logistic regression. Problematic cannabis use was determined with a score of 8+ on the ASSIST-CIS to identify moderate/high problematic users.

RESULTS: Lifetime, past year and problematic cannabis use (in the past 3 months) occurs among all ethnic groups: Canadian, East Asian, South East Asian, South Asian, Caribbean, African, East European, South European, North European, and Central West European. When compared to the Canadian group the odds of past year cannabis use was significantly lower for East Asians and South Asians, but higher for the Caribbean group. Significantly higher odds of problematic cannabis use were found for Caribbeans and Northern Europeans compared to Canadians.

CONCLUSIONS: These results of this study provide an important basis for considering the possible impact of the impending legalization of cannabis in Canada among different ethnic groups.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Adults; Canada; Cannabis; Ethnic origin; Ethnicity; Ontario