Gagnon Marilou, Payne Alayna, Walsh Zach, Guta Adrian, Strike Carol
School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Contemp Drug Probl. 2023 Sep;50(3):426-450. doi: 10.1177/00914509231183147. Epub 2023 Jun 22.
Community-based models of cannabis cultivation, distribution, and consumption-such as cannabis clubs-have been documented across Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand since the 1990s. For the most part, these models have a history of operating outside existing legislation and regulations. Jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis have approached community-based models in opposite ways (eliminate vs. regulate). Canada legalizing cannabis has resulted in more stringent enforcement and concerted efforts to close these models despite documented health and social benefits. This paper presents a case study of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) and its consumption space-The Box. We conducted a survey of VCBC members to explore four domains: demographics, cannabis consumption, access to and use of The Box, and the impact of its temporary closure due to COVID-19. From the survey data ( = 104), descriptive statistics were generated and three conceptual avenues were identified. The majority of respondents were 40 years old and older and identified as White (European descent) cisgendered men and women. The majority reported an income of $40,000 or less and a housing status that prevented them from smoking. Close to 75% of our sample consumed cannabis multidaily for therapeutic purposes primarily, but also for a mix of recreation, social, spiritual, and traditional healing purposes. Smoking was the preferred mode of consumption. Respondents accessed The Box daily or weekly. Reasons and benefits for using The Box fell into three categories: public health, harm reduction, and wellness perspectives. Conceptually, we found that The Box acted as a therapeutic space and offered a much-needed consumption space for smokers. We also identified a need to unpack the concept of safety. Overall, the survey reinforces the need for an equity-informed approach to community-based models and cannabis consumption spaces in Canada.
自20世纪90年代以来，以社区为基础的大麻种植、分销和消费模式——如大麻俱乐部——在欧洲、北美、南美和新西兰都有记录。在很大程度上，这些模式有在现有法律法规之外运作的历史。将大麻合法化的司法管辖区以相反的方式对待以社区为基础的模式（取缔与监管）。加拿大将大麻合法化导致了更严格的执法，并齐心协力关闭这些模式，尽管有记录表明它们具有健康和社会效益。本文介绍了维多利亚大麻购买者俱乐部（VCBC）及其消费场所——盒子（The Box）的案例研究。我们对VCBC成员进行了一项调查，以探索四个领域：人口统计学、大麻消费、对盒子的使用和进入情况，以及因COVID-19导致其临时关闭的影响。根据调查数据（n = 104），生成了描述性统计数据，并确定了三个概念途径。大多数受访者年龄在40岁及以上，身份为白人（欧洲血统）顺性别男性和女性。大多数人报告收入为4万美元或以下，住房状况使他们无法吸烟。我们样本中近75%的人主要出于治疗目的每日多次消费大麻，但也用于娱乐、社交、精神和传统治疗等多种目的。吸烟是首选的消费方式。受访者每天或每周都会前往盒子。使用盒子的原因和好处分为三类：公共卫生、减少危害和健康角度。从概念上讲，我们发现盒子起到了治疗空间的作用，为吸烟者提供了急需的消费空间。我们还发现有必要剖析安全的概念。总体而言，该调查强化了在加拿大对以社区为基础的模式和大麻消费场所采取公平知情方法的必要性。
