# Changes in Cross-Sectional Associations Between Cannabis Use and Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidality in a Nationally Representative Sample of Canadians From 2012 to 2022: Évolution des relations transversales entre la consommation de cannabis et la dépression, l’anxiété et les idées suicidaires au sein d’un échantillon représentatif de Canadiens à l’échelle nationale, de 2012 à 2022

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/research/marijuana-use-for-major-depressive-disorder/
> **Published:** 2026-10-29T01:12:25-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-10-29T01:12:25-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Researchers analyzed two large national health surveys from Canada conducted ten years apart to understand how cannabis use relates to anxiety, depression.

---

Objective: As epidemiological patterns of cannabis use and internalizing problems evolve globally, it is critical to reassess their associations—particularly in the post-legalization and post-pandemic context. Methods: Participants were assessed in the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey’s Mental Health Component (CCHS-MH; n=25,113) and 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey (MHACS; n=9,861), two nationally representative cross-sectional epidemiologic surveys of Canadians aged 15+. Robust Poisson Regression analyses examined associations between frequency of cannabis use and past 12-month generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive episode (MDE), and suicidality assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: Between 2012 and 2022, the prevalence of GAD, MDE, and cannabis use (any and 2+/week) approximately doubled, while suicidality remained unchanged in the full sample but increased by 44% among youth. Across all models, cannabis frequency was consistently associated with a higher prevalence of GAD, MDE, and suicidality in a frequency-dependent fashion. Additive interactions between year and cannabis on each of the outcomes demonstrated stronger associations in 2022 versus 2012. For example, from 2012 to 2022, those using cannabis 2+/week (relative to no use) had a: (1) prevalence ratio (PR) for GAD of 2.3 (95% CI, 1.6-3.4) increase to 4.5 (3.8-5.2); (2) prevalence ratio (PR) for MDE of 3.0 (2.3-3.9) increase to 5.2 (4.6-5.7); and (3) prevalence ratio (PR) for suicidality of 3.0 (2.1-4.0) increase to 5.4 (4.7-6.1). Select moderation effects indicated associations between cannabis and MDE or suicidality strengthened more among youth (15-24 vs. 25+), and associations with GAD strengthened more among females.

 

### Related

---

### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).