According to the 2021 BC Cannabis Use Survey, the number of people who buy from unlicensed stores has significantly decreased.

In 2018, when the initial survey was conducted, 56% of respondents said they bought from an unlicensed cannabis store. 

According to the latest survey, which nearly 25,000 British Columbians participated in, 17% reported buying their products from physical unlicensed stores, 9% bought from a dealer (down from 16% before legalization) while 14% grew their own.

The 2021 survey, which is all based on self-reporting, was one of the first large-scale provincial studies to assess changes in cannabis behaviours and perceptions.

More than 70% of respondents said they bought their cannabis from licensed stores, suggesting that people who chose to use cannabis are doing so responsibly.

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“This increase is consistent with the finding that 4% of all respondents reported that they used cannabis for the first time since it became legal,” explains the BC Stats report.

“In total, more than half of the people surveyed reported having used cannabis at least once in their lifetime.”

The report indicates that 32% of adults reported using cannabis at least once in the past year, which is an increase from 28% reported before legalization in October 2018.

Ingestible uses (edibles, drinks, oils) and vaping products have become more popular since legalization while using dried flower or hash has decreased slightly..

“Findings from this survey did not suggest there have been sharp increases in heavy cannabis use, cannabis-impaired driving, or other potentially risky behaviours since legalization,” explains the report

The report adds that these “findings only scratch the surface” and as the market continues to evolve and stigma fades, there will be a need for regular monitoring and evaluation.