It’s been just over six years since Canada legalized cannabis. It has changed the pot culture in our country and now a survey from Health Canada shows how the 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey indicates improved habits among drivers, seeing fewer under the influence behind the wheel since legalization in 2018.
Roughly 18 per cent of people surveyed who admitted to getting high in the previous year confessed to driving under the influence. That’s down nine points from six years ago.
Here in Edmonton, the total number of drivers who tested positive for cannabis fell from 42 to just 14 so far in 2024.
Legalization has also helped users shift away from the black market.
Since the legal market opened, Health Canada claims fewer people are using weed, but more are buying it legally.
Roughly 72 per cent of those surveyed say they buy from licensed retailers up significantly from just 37 per cent in 2019, and those who reported still buying from the black market is down 13 points to just 3 per cent.
Health Canada says smoking is still the most popular way to get high among pot smokers, while edibles are the runner-up