According to the 2024 results of Health Canada (CCS 2024), 18 % of Canadians who had used cannabis in the past 12 months reported driving after using cannabis, a significant drop from 27 % in 2018. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/12/health-canada-releases-new-data-on-cannabis-use-in-canada.html
A Positive Shift in Behaviour
Between 2018 and 2024, driving after cannabis use among Canadians decreased from 27 % to 18 %, showing a meaningful shift in behaviour. This nearly one-third reduction indicates that more people are thinking carefully about safety, perhaps due to awareness campaigns and a stronger understanding of the risks involved.
Among those who had used cannabis in the past year, 79 % said they believe cannabis impairs driving. This strong majority likely helps explain the reduced driving after use numbers.
What Does “Driving After Use” Really Mean?
The survey asked about two behaviours: driving within 2 hours of smoking or vaping cannabis, or within 4 hours of ingesting edibles or other ingested forms. Overall:
- 16 % reported driving within 2 hours of smoking or vaping
- 10 % reported driving within 4 hours of ingesting cannabis
If someone did either, they were counted in the overall 18 %. This method gives a clearer, more conservative picture than assuming any use.
Trends by Gender and Use Patterns
The decline is consistent across different groups, although usage patterns vary. Among males who used cannabis in the past year, 24 % reported driving after use, while for females it was 13 %.
The overall number of people using cannabis daily or nearly every day has remained relatively stable at about 25 % since 2018. While regular use remains common, the willingness to drive afterwards appears to have lessened, which suggests people may be better informed about the risks.
Why This Matters
Driving under the influence of cannabis can impair reaction times, decision-making, and coordination. A steady decline in driving after use reported by users themselves suggests more responsible behaviour and greater public awareness. Considering that nearly three-quarters of consumers now obtain cannabis seeds from legal sources, making regulation, education, and labelling easier, this trend could reflect the effectiveness of public safety and harm reduction strategies.
For people who consume cannabis, and especially those who grow their own, responsible use is key. Whether purchased legally or cultivated from Cannabis seeds, planning and refraining from driving under the influence remains key.
What Remains to Be Seen
Although lower than in 2018, the 18 % figure still reflects a significant share of users. It includes potential repeat offenders and might understate occasional but risky behaviour, like driving after THC-rich edibles or combining cannabis with alcohol. Reporting by users themselves can also underrepresent actual incidents. Ongoing public education and perhaps better detection or enforcement could help lower this number further.
Final Thoughts
A reduction from 27 % to 18 % in driving after using cannabis reported by users themselves is a promising indicator of growing responsibility among Canadians. However, it is not a reason for complacency. If you choose to consume, do so responsibly. Whether you source cannabis from licensed retailers or you grow starting from Cannabis seeds, always plan and avoid driving while impaired.
If you want to explore high-quality strains and start your own grow, check out our seed company at https://rocketseeds.com
Great Job Our Culture Mag & Partners & the Team @ Our Culture Source link for sharing this story.
