What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction, Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Substance use & misuse on May 26, 2026.

Cannabis use varies dramatically across Indigenous communities worldwide

Q: What did this research study find?

This systematic review synthesized evidence from **40 studies across six countries** (primarily Canada, USA, and Australia) to examine *cannabis use prevalence among Indigenous populations globally*. The research reveals striking geographic disparities: among young people (ages 12-19), Indigenous Ca

Prevalence of Cannabis Use Among Indigenous Populations - A Systematic Review.

Substance use & misuse • May 26, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This systematic review synthesized evidence from 40 studies across six countries (primarily Canada, USA, and Australia) to examine cannabis use prevalence among Indigenous populations globally. The research reveals striking geographic disparities: among young people (ages 12-19), Indigenous Canadians reported the highest lifetime cannabis use at 91.1%, compared to 76% among Indigenous Americans and just 15.9% among Māori youth in New Zealand. Among adults, Indigenous Canadians also led at 53.2% prevalence, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia reported 43%—though Australians showed the highest rate of daily use at 50.4%.

These findings underscore that cannabis use patterns vary dramatically across Indigenous communities, reflecting different cultural, historical, and social contexts rather than a one-size-fits-all picture. The research reveals that Indigenous populations in North America report substantially higher prevalence than those in the South Pacific and Oceania regions. Importantly, the study identifies a critical gap: the evidence base is heavily concentrated in a few countries, with limited data from Indigenous populations in other regions globally, making comprehensive international comparisons difficult.

The authors emphasize that these disparities demand culturally informed and community-responsive health approaches. Rather than applying generic cannabis policies, healthcare systems must partner directly with Indigenous communities to develop interventions that respect cultural values while addressing health priorities identified by the communities themselves. This research highlights the importance of moving beyond surveillance data toward genuine collaborative health equity strategies tailored to each population's unique circumstances and needs.

📄 Original Abstract

Monitoring the prevalence of cannabis use is essential for a more complete understanding of the impacts and influence of a country's policies regarding its use. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence and compare the prevalence of cannabis use among Indigenous populations globally. PubMed/Medline, ProQuest, and Scopus databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2024. Relevant articles that reported prevalence or proportion of Indigenous peoples using cannabis were assessed for risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool, and evidence from included studies was synthesized. Of the identified 1,347 potentially eligible studies, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were from Canada (n = 20), the USA (n = 3), the USA and Canada (n = 2), Australia (n = 13), New Zealand (n = 1), and Greenland (n = 1). Among young people (12-19 years), prevalence of reported lifetime cannabis use was the highest among Indigenous Canadians (91.1%), followed by Indigenous Americans in the USA (76%), and the lowest among Māori people in New Zealand (15.9%). Among adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia reported lower prevalence of cannabis use (43%) than Indigenous people in Canada (53.2%). Daily use reported across these populations was the highest in Australia (50.4%). These findings reflect data from diverse Indigenous populations, each with distinct cultural, historical, and social contexts. Indigenous young people and adults worldwide report varying prevalence of lifetime and current cannabis use. Indigenous people in Canada and the USA reported higher prevalence than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and Māori people in New Zealand. These findings highlight the need to strengthen culturally safe and informed health-care delivery across diverse populations, with future approaches benefiting from partnership with Indigenous communities to ensure relevance to community priorities.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Substance use & misuse
Published: May 26, 2026
PMID: 42190074
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2026.2670614

Authors (4)

Meghashyam Bhat School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Sreevidya Bhat Department of Public Health Dentistry, Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences, Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Divesh Sardana Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry and Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Olga Anikeeva School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.