Estimation of prevalence (and patterns) of cannabis use from various data sources

Background: Over the past decade, significant changes in cannabis use have been noted, including its application for medical purposes, the introduction of new products and consumption methods, an increase in usage among older age groups, etc. These developments necessitate novel, rapid research methods and the integration of diverse research approaches. As research methodologies rapidly evolve (population surveys, data on drug seizures, poisoning and hospitalizations, wastewater-based epidemiology), it is imperative to evaluate among the plethora of data which sources are most reliable and suitable for shaping policies in the field of illicit drugs. This article focuses on reviewing assessments of the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use from various quantitative data sources.
Methods: In Slovenia, three distinct survey studies were conducted from 2012 to 2023 to examine the prevalence of illicit drugs use among residents: 1) National Surveys on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs, providing crucial cross-sectional data on the prevalence of illicit drug use, 2) European Web Survey on Drugs in 2021, which focuses on patterns of drug use among users, and 3) the SI-PANDA 2021 online survey, investigating the prevalence and drug use among on a nonprobability sample of adult online access panelists. Slovenia is also conducting Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Surveys and joined the SCORE network in 2017.
Results: Utilizing various data sources in the study of cannabis use has provided insight into the complex landscape of cannabis prevalence, identifying usage patterns and associated demographic factors. In addition to result comparisons, the article focuses on presenting the strengths and weaknesses of individual data sources and provides recommendations on which data sources are appropriate for studying specific aspects of cannabis use. The results enable better exploration of the illicit drug use, understanding the prevalence of cannabis and usage patterns in different populations, and its consequences on population health.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, we assess that a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of cannabis use requires the examination of findings from various data sources and the application of advanced statistical methods. Emphasis is placed on the importance of continuous monitoring of trends and adapting public health strategies to monitor the prevalence of cannabis use. The results form the basis for the development of targeted preventive programs, assistance programs, and the formulation of informed policies