Protocol - Sources of Cannabis
Description
This questionnaire includes four self-administered items from the International Cannabis Policy Study Survey, Wave 6 (2023). Respondents are asked about marijuana obtained from family or friends, online, or from a store or dispensary.
Specific Instructions
When there is a specific interest in assessing medical cannabis use, the PhenX Substance Use and Recovery Working Group (WG) recommends replacing “marijuana” with “medical cannabis” to specifically capture use of products for medical use. When there is an interest in capturing a broader range of cannabis products, the WG recommends considering replacing “marijuana” with “cannabis”.
In the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS), Wave 6 (2023), respondents are only asked these questions if they answer the USE.RECENT question with a 2 (used marijuana more than 3 months ago but less than 12 months ago), 3 (used marijuana more than 30 days ago, but less than 3 months ago), or 4 (used marijuana within the past 30 days). If investigators wish to include this introductory question, it can be accessed in the PhenX General Cannabis Use protocol.
Protocols may include terms and language that could be triggering to respondents. Investigators are encouraged to have resources in place to help respondents cope with triggers as needed.
Terminology related to substances, substance use, and recovery is fluid. Updates in protocol language may be appropriate based on circumstance. Suggestions for revision have been offered to update answer responses or other components of the questionnaires to account for the constantly changing landscape. These suggestions have not been tested or validated in research studies but may be considered by investigators to enhance relevance.
Availability
This protocol is freely available; permission not required for use.
Protocol
1. In the past 12 months, have you gotten any type of marijuana from the following sources?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
1[ ]I made or grew my own
2[ ]From a family member or friend
3[ ]From a dealer (in person)
4[ ]Internet delivery service or mail order (delivered to me)
5[ ]From a store, co-operative or dispensary
6[ ]Other (please specify without providing any identifiable information):_____________
7[ ]I haven’t obtained marijuana from any source in the past 12 months
-77[ ]Don’t know
-88[ ]Refuse to answer
(Ask if Q1 = 2)
2. In the past 12 months, where did your family member or friend get the marijuana they gave to you?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
1[ ]Made or grew their own
2[ ]Internet
3[ ]Dealer
4[ ]Legal/authorized store, co-operative or dispensary
5[ ]Illegal/unauthorized store, co-operative or dispensary
6[ ]Other
-77[ ]Don’t know
-88[ ]Refuse to answer
(Ask if Q1=4 [internet])
3. Where did you buy your marijuana online in the past 12 months?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
1[ ]An authorized/legal website
2[ ]An unauthorized/illegal website, private delivery service, or dealer not affiliated with a dispensary/co-operative
3[ ]Other online source (please specify without providing any identifiable information): _______________
-77[ ]Don’t know
-88[ ]Refuse to answer
(Ask if Q1 = 5 [store])
4. From what type of PHYSICAL store or dispensary did you buy marijuana in the past 12 months? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
1[ ]A legal medical dispensary or co-operative
2[ ]A legal recreational store
3[ ]An illegal or unauthorized store/dispensary
4[ ]Other type of store/dispensary (please specify without providing any identifiable information):_______________
-77[ ]Don’t know
-88[ ]Refuse to answer
Personnel and Training Required
NoneEquipment Needs
NoneRequirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adolescent, Adult, Senior, Pregnancy
Participants
Adolescents and adults ages 16–65
Selection Rationale
The International Cannabis Policy Study Survey (ICPS) is a well-established international survey that has been administered since 2018 to monitor marijuana use in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, ICPS questions are based on questions from other well-established surveys (e.g., National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH]).
Language
English, Other languages available at source
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not Applicable
Protocol Name from Source
International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS), Wave 6 (2023)
Source
Hammond, D., Goodman, S., Burkhalter, R., Corsetti, D., International Cannabis Policy Study Survey 2023 (Wave 6). September 2023. Cannabis Sources – Purchasing & Retail Sources section, items CANNABIS.SOURCE1, CANNABIS.SOURCE.FRIEND, CANNABIS.SOURCE4, CANNABIS.SOURCE3.General References
Advanis Inc. (2022). The Canadian Cannabis Survey 2022 Methodological Report. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Health Canada. Retrieved from https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/health/2022/124-21-e/POR124-21-Methodological_Report.pdf
Hammond, D., Goodman, S., Wadsworth, E., Freeman, T. P., Kilmer, B., Schauer, G., Pacula, R. L., & Hall, W. (2022). Trends in the use of cannabis products in Canada and the USA, 2018–2020: Findings from the International Cannabis Policy Study. International Journal of Drug Policy, 105, 103716. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103716
Hammond, D., Goodman, S., Wadsworth, E., Rynard, V., Boudreau, C., & Hall, W. (2020). Evaluating the impacts of cannabis legalization: The International Cannabis Policy Study. International Journal of Drug Policy, 77, 102698. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102698
Protocol ID
511001
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping |
|---|
Measure Name
Sources of Cannabis
Release Date
January 30, 2025
Definition
This is a measure of how cannabis products are sourced or obtained by the person using them.
Purpose
Identifying the source of cannabis products allows researchers to get a sense of the marketplace. It also allows researchers to track products that cause people who use cannabis to report experiencing adverse events.
Keywords
Purchasing, retail sources, International Cannabis Policy Study, ICPS, medical cannabis, cannabis, cannabinoid product, family member, Friend, website, online, store, dispensary, legal, illegal, marijuana, SAA, adverse events, substance use, substance use disorder, addiction, tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, cannabidiol, CBD, substance use disorder and addiction
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 511001 | Sources of Cannabis |