Time trends in US cannabis use and cannabis use disorders overall and by sociodemographic subgroups: a narrative review and new findings

ABSTRACT

Background: Due to significant comorbidity and impairment associated with cannabis use and cannabis use disorder, understanding time trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder is an important public health priority.

Objectives: To identify trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder overall, and by sociodemographic subgroup.

Methods: Narrative review of published findings on trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorders in data from repeated cross-sectional US general population surveys. In addition, in National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; 2002–2002) and NESARC-III (2012–2013) data, logistic regression was used to examine whether trends differed between subgroups of adults.

Results: The review showed that in adults, cannabis use increased over the past decade overall and within sociodemographic subgroups (gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, marital status, urbanicity, region, pregnancy status, disability status), with greater increases in men and disabled adults. Most sources also indicated significant increases in cannabis use disorders. New analysis showed significantly greater increases in adult cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in men (p ≤ .0001); young adults (p < .05); Blacks (vs. Whites, p < .01); low income groups (p < .001); never-married p ≤ .0001), and urban residents (p < .05). In adolescents, cannabis use generally decreased, although recent increases were observed in older and non-White adolescents.

Conclusion: Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are increasing in adults, with specific sociodemographic groups at higher risk, and may be increasing in some adolescent subgroups. Studies should determine mechanisms for differential trends to provide information to policymakers and enable informed decisions on cannabis legalization and service planning.

KEYWORDS:

• Cannabis use
• cannabis use disorder
• general population
• trends
• sociodemographic groups

Financial Disclosures

Deborah S. Hasin reports contract support from Campbell Alliance. Dvora Shmulewitz and Aaron L. Sarvet report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [R01DA018652,R01DA034244] and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.