Perceptions of Canadian Consumers: Cannabis & Edibles 鈥� A New Assessment
Canadians expressing increased support for cannabis legalization, but remain cautious towards edibles.
Halifax, June 21, 2021鈥� Canada is well into its third year with legalized cannabis. A new study from Brian Sterling, Research Associate and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director at the 国民彩票 Agri-Food Analytics Lab, shows that Canadians are less eager for edibles than they said they were prior to legalization; however, support for cannabis legalization has risen to nearly 80 percent.
The study, titled 鈥�Perceptions of Canadian Consumers: Cannabis & Edibles 鈥� A New Assessment鈥� compares Canadian attitudes toward cannabis products with previous studies conducted in 2017 (prior to legalization) and in 2019.
Do Canadians embrace edibles?
鈥淲e were intrigued that Canadians seem to be less enthusiastic about edibles since cannabis became legal,鈥� said Dr. Charlebois. 鈥�25% of cannabis consumers say they typically prefer edibles, down from 36% in 2019.鈥� The report says nearly one in four Canadians would order a cannabis dish at a restaurant: steady at 24% (compared to 25% in 2019).
鈥淭he results show 53% of Canadians are concerned that cannabis edibles may make it too easy to overconsume 鈥� this is high but a notable decrease from 60% in 2019鈥�, said Brian Sterling, the principal investigator for the report. 鈥淢eanwhile, concern remains steady that greater access to edibles poses a risk to children and pets (66% are concerned with the risk for children; 60% for pets). These levels are consistent with our previous studies; Canadians remain cautious about the risks with edibles.鈥�
Edibles attract people who are not interested in smoking: 14% of respondents indicated that they plan to consume more cannabis edibles in future. A similar portion say that they have increased cannabis consumption (in all formats) since the start of the COVID19 pandemic. Confections, such as gummies and hard candy, are the first choice for edibles by a wide margin (35% of cannabis consumers). Chocolates are the second popular choice; beverages are preferred by only 4%.
Have Canadian attitudes towards cannabis use changed?
Support for legalization has surged to over 78% of respondents (up from 49% in 2019), placing Canadians鈥� cannabis approval levels above those in some USA states. Disagreement wit