Assessing Policy Support for Cannabis Health Literacy in Canada: A Document Analysis

Abstract

Background Canada's legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 was grounded in a public health approach, with education positioned as a key strategy to promote informed decision-making and reduce harms. However, the extent to which cannabis health literacy (CHL) is supported and operationalized within Canadian policy remains underexplored. Objective This study examines how cannabis education and awareness are represented across Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial policies, using cannabis health literacy as a conceptual framework. Methods A qualitative document analysis, using the READ (Readying materials, Extracting, Analysing and Distilling findings) approach, was conducted on federal, provincial, territorial, and regulator-level policies and initiatives released between October 2018 and July 2025. Data were coded (inductively and deductively) to identify how policies frame education, the tools and mechanisms used to support it, and the degree to which these align with CHL domains: knowledge of cannabis, understanding risks and harms, and information-seeking competencies. Results Jurisdictional inconsistencies were evident, with only four provinces and one territory referencing cannabis education explicitly in their legislation. Funding mechanisms exist but remain limited, and evaluation efforts are minimal. Education is primarily delivered through online campaigns emphasizing legal compliance and health risks. Recent legislative reviews call for improved coordination, long-term planning, sustained investment, and clearer public health objectives. Conclusion Cannabis education in Canada lacks a coherent and long-term strategy. Current policies treat education as a short-term intervention rather than a sustained prevention and literacy effort. The findings underscore the need for coordinated, adequately resourced, and systematically evaluated education initiatives across the cannabis policy landscape.