TY - JOUR
T1 - Cannabis use characteristics and associations with problematic use outcomes, quitting-related factors, and mental health among US young adults
AU - Berg, Carla J.
AU - LoParco, Cassidy R.
AU - Romm, Katelyn F.
AU - Cui, Yuxian
AU - McCready, Darcey M.
AU - Wang, Yan
AU - Yang, Y. Tony
AU - Szlyk, Hannah S.
AU - Kasson, Erin
AU - Chakraborty, Rishika
AU - Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Objective: Given the changes in trends of cannabis use (e.g., product types), this study examined latent classes of young adult use and associations with use-related outcomes. Methods: We analyzed 2023 survey data among 4,031 US young adults (Mage=26.29, 59.4% female, 19.0% Hispanic, 13.5% Black, 13.6% Asian). Among those reporting past-month use (48.8%), latent class analysis (LCA) indicators included: days used (1–5; 6–20; 21–30), use/day (1; 2–4; ≥5), and type usually used (herb/flower; edibles; oils/vape; concentrates/other). Multivariable regressions examined class in relation to problematic use, quitting-related factors, and mental health, controlling for sociodemographics and state non-medical cannabis laws. Results: LCA identified 4 classes of cannabis use frequency and types used: ‘infrequent-herb/edibles’ (41.4%), ‘frequent-herb’ (16.8%), ‘moderate-herb’ (28.0%), and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (13.8%). In multivariable analyses (referent group: ‘moderate-herb’ class), ‘frequent-herb’ reported less problematic use (B=-0.18, 95%CI=-0.30, -0.07), while ‘moderate-oil/other’ reported greater (B = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.27, 0.51). ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ had lower odds of driving post-use of cannabis (aOR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.22, 0.37) and cannabis/alcohol (aOR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.35, 0.76), whereas ‘frequent-herb’ (aOR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.02, 2.28) and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (aOR = 3.98, 95%CI = 2.72, 5.82) reported greater odds of driving post-cannabis/alcohol use. ‘Moderate-oil/other’ reported higher quitting importance (B = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.17, 1.01), while ‘frequent-herb’ reported lower (B=-0.33, 95%CI=-0.99, -0.18). ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ reported higher quitting confidence (B = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.20, 0.92), whereas ‘frequent-herb’ (B=-1.01, 95%CI=-1.45, -0.57) and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (B=-1.27, 95%CI=-1.74, -0.81) reported lower. ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ reported fewer mental health symptoms (B=-0.55, 95%CI=-0.93, -0.17), while ‘moderate-oil/other’ reported more (B = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.53, 1.52). Conclusions: Preventing frequent and moderate use of cannabis, particularly of oils/concentrates, is crucial given the potential negative implications for problematic use, quitting, and mental health.
AB - Objective: Given the changes in trends of cannabis use (e.g., product types), this study examined latent classes of young adult use and associations with use-related outcomes. Methods: We analyzed 2023 survey data among 4,031 US young adults (Mage=26.29, 59.4% female, 19.0% Hispanic, 13.5% Black, 13.6% Asian). Among those reporting past-month use (48.8%), latent class analysis (LCA) indicators included: days used (1–5; 6–20; 21–30), use/day (1; 2–4; ≥5), and type usually used (herb/flower; edibles; oils/vape; concentrates/other). Multivariable regressions examined class in relation to problematic use, quitting-related factors, and mental health, controlling for sociodemographics and state non-medical cannabis laws. Results: LCA identified 4 classes of cannabis use frequency and types used: ‘infrequent-herb/edibles’ (41.4%), ‘frequent-herb’ (16.8%), ‘moderate-herb’ (28.0%), and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (13.8%). In multivariable analyses (referent group: ‘moderate-herb’ class), ‘frequent-herb’ reported less problematic use (B=-0.18, 95%CI=-0.30, -0.07), while ‘moderate-oil/other’ reported greater (B = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.27, 0.51). ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ had lower odds of driving post-use of cannabis (aOR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.22, 0.37) and cannabis/alcohol (aOR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.35, 0.76), whereas ‘frequent-herb’ (aOR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.02, 2.28) and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (aOR = 3.98, 95%CI = 2.72, 5.82) reported greater odds of driving post-cannabis/alcohol use. ‘Moderate-oil/other’ reported higher quitting importance (B = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.17, 1.01), while ‘frequent-herb’ reported lower (B=-0.33, 95%CI=-0.99, -0.18). ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ reported higher quitting confidence (B = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.20, 0.92), whereas ‘frequent-herb’ (B=-1.01, 95%CI=-1.45, -0.57) and ‘moderate-oil/other’ (B=-1.27, 95%CI=-1.74, -0.81) reported lower. ‘Infrequent-herb/edibles’ reported fewer mental health symptoms (B=-0.55, 95%CI=-0.93, -0.17), while ‘moderate-oil/other’ reported more (B = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.53, 1.52). Conclusions: Preventing frequent and moderate use of cannabis, particularly of oils/concentrates, is crucial given the potential negative implications for problematic use, quitting, and mental health.
KW - Cannabis
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Marijuana
KW - Problematic use
KW - Risk factors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85215353316&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13011-025-00634-0
DO - 10.1186/s13011-025-00634-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 39799369
AN - SCOPUS:85215353316
SN - 1747-597X
VL - 20
JO - Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
JF - Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
IS - 1
M1 - 1
ER -