AI Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic affected cannabis cultivation behaviors, with a web survey of 11,479 growers across 18 countries revealing that most practices remained stable, though challenges were noted in purchasing cannabis.
- While 28.2% of respondents reported increased cannabis use, and 21.4% reported growing more cannabis during the pandemic, those who faced job loss or casual employment were notably more likely to increase their cultivation.
- The study concluded that the pandemic prompted some to start growing cannabis and highlighted that a lack of access to illegal supply chains motivated home cultivation increases, though it acknowledged limitations in sample representation.
Article Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying measures to mitigate infection affected many areas of society, including the supply and use of cannabis. This paper explored how patterns of behaviour among people who cultivate cannabis were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions.
Methods: An anonymous web survey of people who cultivated cannabis was conducted from Aug 2020 to Sep 2021, spanning 18 countries and 11 languages (N = 11,479). Descriptive statistics and mean comparison tests were conducted.
Results: Most cannabis growers reported that their practices were relatively unaffected by the COVID-related restrictions. While 35.2 % reported difficulties buying cannabis from their usual dealer, <10 % stated that access to materials needed for growing was impaired during the pandemic. Over one-quarter (28.2 %) of respondents increased their cannabis use and 21.4 % also increased cannabis cultivation (more than twice as many as those who said they were growing less or not anymore) while COVID restrictions were in place. People who lost their job or were casually employed were more likely to increase use and cultivation. Overall, the pandemic had little impact on reasons for growing, however, difficulties obtaining cannabis were mentioned as the most prevalent COVID-19-related growing motive. A small number (16 %) reported starting their growing activity during the pandemic. Italian and Portuguese growers were more likely to report shortages in supply and increases in their growing activity.
Conclusions: This study is the first to document an increase in cannabis cultivation activity following COVID restrictions. Increased home cultivation was not only driven by higher use as a result of home isolation, but also by disruptions of wider illegal cannabis supply. Limitations of this study include the non-representativeness of the sample as well as differences in approaches and duration of restrictions in different countries.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104652 | DOI Listing |
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