Photo courtesy Canadian Press

By Matt Fetinko

Cannabis use

Less youth smoking cannabis in Northern BC

Apr 16, 2020 | 3:28 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A recent report from the McCreary Centre Society indicates less youth in BC are using cannabis now than 15 years ago.

Additionally, the northern region was the only one to also see a decrease in the last ten and five years, respectively. Especially when looking at just trying cannabis versus continuous use, this seems to be a trend in the right direction.

“Heavy usage during this developmental phase of high school, [ages] 13 to 18 or so, is associated with fairly significant psychiatric disadvantages or issues and also educational achievement,” explained Dr. Russ Callaghan with the Northern Medical Program.

Some believe it is going to continue to decrease as well. Since the legalization of cannabis in 2018, it seems even less youth are using.

“A lot of it, probably, has to do with [cannabis] being legalized. It takes away the mystery,” said Ginny Burnett, Zaga’s Hemp Shop owner. “And it’s probably harder for them to get a dealer. Their buddies at school aren’t selling it anymore, it’s not so prevalent to be underground.”

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Whether it is just a trend or it will stick is yet to be seen. Another key finding of the report is that youth were more likely to have vaped in the last month, than to have ever smoked cannabis.

“Often what happens is that, with cannabis vaping, those particular liquids are highly concentrated and it’s often the case that young people or anyone using those vape pens of cannabis can ingest highly potent cannabinoids maybe even more than they would anticipate,” Callaghan said.

In the northern Interior, 30% of youth surveyed admitted to using or trying cannabis.