Cannabis-only use in the USA: prevalence, demographics, use patterns, and health indicators

Abstract

Background The prevalence of adults who consume cannabis while abstaining from other substances is not known in the USA. This study used nationally representative data to estimate the prevalence and explore the demographic characteristics, cannabis use behaviors, and self-reported health of US adults with past 30-day cannabis-only use, as compared with adults who used cannabis as well as other substances. Methods Data came from adults 18 years and older who responded to the 2017 or 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and reported past 30-day cannabis use (n = 12,143). Cannabis-only use was defined as past 30-day cannabis use with no past 30-day use of other substances (alcohol, tobacco, other illicit substances, non-prescribed controlled medications). Weighted frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for all sociodemographic and cannabis-related variables, overall, and across the two categories of cannabis consumers, stratified by age. Results The prevalence of past 30-day cannabis-only use among US adults was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.8, 1.0) and varied by age (2.0% of 18–25 years old; 0.7% of 26–49 year olds, and 0.6% of those ≥ 50 years). Among adults with any past 30-day cannabis use, 8.4% (95% CI: 7.6, 9.2; n = 980) reported cannabis-only use. Age was significantly associated with past 30-day cannabis-only use, with adults 18–25 years and 26–49 years having higher odds of cannabis-only use compared with older adults. Past year cannabis dependence was lowest among cannabis-only consumers aged ≥ 50 years (0.2%; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.5) and highest among young adult cannabis and other substance consumers (16.7%; 95% CI: 15.3, 18.2). Past year prevalence of any mental illness was generally similar across cannabis use groups and by age. Conclusions The prevalence of adult cannabis-only use in the US is low — most cannabis consumers report using other substances in the past 30 days as well. While cannabis-only use among older adults is rare, it does not appear to be accompanied by a high prevalence of dependence. These findings should guide future research and policymaking.

Parental openness and communication regarding cannabis and alcohol use with their children

“…Finally, current findings indicate that certain groups of parents may require focused attention, such as cannabis and alcohol users.LimitationsFirst, this study has limited generalizability to other parent populations, as the sample was drawn from six MSAs in the United States, largely White and female, and recruited via social media into a study regarding tobacco use. One-third (33.5%) of participants reported past-month cannabis use, which is higher than other national estimates of 12.2% among adults ages 26-4934 and likely due to our recruitment strategy (representation of tobacco users and MSAs with recreational cannabis). Second, data were self-reported, which has potential for biased reporting.…”

Chronic exposure to inhaled vaporized cannabis high in Δ9-THC alters brain structure in adult female mice

“…With the gradual legalization and social acceptance of cannabis in the United States, its risk for abuse has increased significantly ( Hasin et al, 2015 ; Carliner et al, 2017 ). A recent study by Carlini and Schauer (2022) reported the age-related prevalence of cannabis use among US adults. Adolescent to young adults, 18–25 years old, have the highest prevalence (2.0%) of cannabis use-only followed by 26–49 years old (0.7%), and 0.6% for over 50 years of age ( Carlini and Schauer, 2022 ).…”

“…A recent study by Carlini and Schauer (2022) reported the age-related prevalence of cannabis use among US adults. Adolescent to young adults, 18–25 years old, have the highest prevalence (2.0%) of cannabis use-only followed by 26–49 years old (0.7%), and 0.6% for over 50 years of age ( Carlini and Schauer, 2022 ). Whereas 9.4% of the general population use cannabis with other drugs like nicotine and alcohol.…”

A preclinical model of THC edibles that produces high-dose cannabimimetic responses

“…The use of cannabis products containing high concentrations of THC is rapidly increasing; yet we still have a limited understanding of its possible impact on physical and mental health (1–3). These products are typically inhaled as combusted plant matter, vaporized extracts or increasingly ingested in edible forms.…”

“…The use of Cannabis products containing high concentrations of THC is rapidly increasing despite our limited understanding of its potential impact on physical and mental health [1][2][3].…”