NYU Study Links Multiple Cannabis Methods to Higher Addiction Risk
Researchers at NYU Langone Health report that adults using cannabis in many forms face significantly higher addiction rates than single-method users.
Polymodal Users Show Highest Disorder Rates
A new national study analyzed data from 17,732 US adults who used cannabis within the previous month. Scientists found that nearly 67 percent of people using almost every form met criteria for cannabis use disorder. This group contrasts sharply with just 15 percent of those who mainly consumed edibles. Approximately half of the polymodal group reported daily use compared to lower rates in other categories.
Four Distinct Consumption Patterns Identified
A research group analyzed answers gathered in the 2022-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. About half of users mainly used cannabis smoking, whereas 21 percent employed a mix of vaping and smoking techniques. Another 17 percent mainly consumed edibles and the remaining 14 percent belonged to the polymodal group. Recent data show that smoking is still the leading choice for American adults using cannabis.
Clinicians Should Ask Usage Methods
Lead author Omar El-Shahawy stated that asking patients how they use cannabis helps identify when fuller assessment is warranted. The findings were published online August 8 in the journal Addictive Behaviors by NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers. About 43.8 million Americans ages 12 and older had consumed cannabis within the previous 30 days nationally.
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