Inequitable Access to Cannabis Vaping Products Across Canada: Examining Consumer Preferences
Author(s)
Donnan J1, Johnston K2, Coombs M3, Najafizada M3, Bishop L3
1Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada, 2Broadstreet HEOR, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 3Memorial University, St. John's, NF, Canada
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Phase two of cannabis legalization in Canada, in October 2019, brought cannabis vaping products to the market. This decision was controversial as an outbreak of
vaping cannabis use-associated lung injury (EVALI) appeared. This resulted in three provinces opting out of the sale of cannabis vapes and therefore causing inequitable access across Canada. This study sought to explore consumer preferences for cannabis vapes to inform cannabis policy.METHODS: We explored consumer preferences for attributes of cannabis vape products using a discrete choice experiment. Attributes included type of device, price, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, vape liquid content, product recommendations and Health Canada regulation. Participants lived in Canada, were ≥19 years old, and purchased a cannabis vape in the last 12 months. A multinomial logit (MNL) model was used for the base model, and latent class analysis to assess preference sub-groups.
RESULTS: 384 participants completed the survey; the MNL model showed that price, followed by THC content, were the most important attributes. A three-group latent class model showed that ~40% of the sample (Group 1) was driven primarily by Health Canada Regulation, followed by price. Group 1 was willing to pay $56 more for a product that was regulated compared to one that was not. Group 2 (~33% of sample), was driven by price, followed by potency. Group 3, (~26% of sample) was driven by type of device, followed by potency.
CONCLUSIONS: This study found that access to vape products that are regulated by Health Canada is important to consumers, ranking as most important for ~40% of participants. With mounting evidence that EVALI is linked to additives in unlicensed vape products, further work needs to be done to explore the risks and benefits of offering cannabis vapes through licensed stores to provide safe access for all Canadians.
Conference/Value in Health Info
Value in Health, Volume 25, Issue 12S (December 2022)
Code
EPH146
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Decision Modeling & Simulation, Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas