The hidden triad of cannabis influence

Abstract

Description of the Problem In October 2018, the Government of Canada became the second country in the world to legalize non-medical cannabis, with the goal to promote better health and well-being amongst Canadians. To date, the ways in which young adults in Canada perceive and experience cannabis in this new legal context have been minimally explored and are not well understood. This research contributes important insights into how young adults in Saskatchewan perceive and understand their own health and well-being in relation to cannabis in a context of legal non-medical use. These findings are relevant for future policy and program developments in this area. Methods The objective of this study was to answer the primary research question “How do young adults perceive and experience cannabis use, in particular from a health perspective, in the context of Canada’s current policy frameworks?” This study applies constructivist grounded theory data collection and analysis techniques, guided by the work of Kathy Charmaz (2014). Data was collected through 10 in-depth interviews with young adults in Saskatchewan. The information was transcribed and thoroughly analyzed to transition from analytical findings to theoretical understanding. Secondary research questions addressed the relationship between cannabis related perceptions and experiences, influences shaping those perceptions and experiences, and the policy implications. Findings The main outcome from this study is entitled “The Hidden Triad of Cannabis Influence”, a grounded theory that explains how young adults perceive and experience cannabis within a legal non-medical and medical cannabis policy framework and an illicit market. Although the young adults who participated in this research tended not to outwardly identify policy and market factors as influencing their health and well-being, this theory substantiates the presence of these influences. The four main policy considerations emerging from this study include: • evaluate the short-term outcomes of non-medical cannabis legalization, including but not limited to input from young adults and qualitative research findings • develop a robust health literacy approach to promote public health objectives related to non- medical and medical cannabis use by young adults • improve supports in the health care system for medical use and misuse of cannabis to promote harm reduction • take additional measures to mitigate the illicit market for cannabis The results of this study offer preliminary evidence about how young adults perceive and experience their own health and well-being within a context of legal non-medical cannabis. Keywords Cannabis; marijuana; legalization; young adults; grounded theory; health policy; perceptions