Levels of support and consumer perceptions of cannabis regulations in Canada

Background: Canada legalized cannabis for adult (recreational) use in 2018, alongside regulations on the sale, use, and possession of cannabis. To date, there is little evidence on consumer perceptions and support of cannabis regulations.Objectives: This study examined perceptions of nine cannabis regulatory policies, including differences by cannabis consumption and provincial policy.Methods: National survey data were analyzed from Wave 5 of the International Cannabis Policy Study conducted online in 2022 with 16,812 Canadians aged 16+ years, 62% of which were assigned female-at-birth. Weighted logistic regression models examined support for nine policy variables.Results: Support among Canadians was greatest for health warnings on cannabis products (62.6%), legalization for adult use (58.5%), and retail store window-coverings (49.2%), followed by a vaping/extract THC limit (40.1%), retail store density (35.5%), government-only store models (34.6%), the THC limit on edibles (32.3%), and advertising restrictions (31.8%). The 30 g purchasing limit had the least consumer support (10.1%). As consumption increased, opposition generally increased, although support remained high among consumers. Compared to non-consumers, daily consumers were more likely to oppose window-coverings (OR = 1.43, CI95 = 1.16-1.75, p = .001). Where policies differed provincially, few differences in support were observed. No differences in support for THC limits on vaping/extracts were observed between Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec versus the rest of Canada, despite stronger vaping/extract regulations (OR = 1.05, CI95 = 0.87-1.28, p = .597).Conclusion: Canadians generally support existing cannabis regulations that were implemented to support public health. The high level of support among consumers suggests that the comprehensive regulations may not undermine transitions to legal retail sources.