Abstract

      Using the most comprehensive data source on illicit drug use available in Canada, this study finds that marijuana smoking is both widespread and increasing. Moreover, it is strongly associated with a wide variety of anti-social and individual behaviors and negative community effects, and very few positive effects. Self-reported non-experimental use has blossomed from no more than 7% among those in their early 20s in 1962 (reported in 2002), to about 52% of those of the same age in 2002. Charts for the total population, women, men and the female-male ratio in use rates portray the extent of marijuana smoking across a wide range of areas and sub-groups of the population. Almost all non-marijuana illicit drug use is found among persons who have used marijuana more than once in their life. Even after controlling for a number of important factors, marijuana smoking is found to be strongly associated with such anti-social and anti-individual behaviors as: drunkenness at school, work or while looking after children, drinking more than planned, the frequency of being drunk, drinking to the extent of risking one's health, and planned and attempted suicide. Community-related factors are also at play: marijuana use is found to be strongly associated with such factors as a weaker sense of belonging to the community, less satisfaction with life in general, the use of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and spiritual counsellors, and the possibility of being a welfare or social assistance recipient. Marijuana smoking is also negatively associated with education and spiritual commitment. Among the employed, marijuana smoking is strongly associated with such factors as less job satisfaction, conflict with fellow employees and feelings of job insecurity. All told, over sixty negative associations with individual or community well-being are identified, as opposed to only three positive associations. Though causation cannot be proved, few would dispute that causation is involved in most of the behaviors explored, implying the policy implication that laws and regulations restricting the production, distribution and use of marijuana should remain in place, and if anything, that they should be strengthened and made more effective. Also, teachers and parents should continue to alert children to the wide range of direct and indirect effects of marijuana smoking, and point to hard evidence wherever possible. The study also includes a theoretical argument relating to drug use, its causes and effects.