Lead Story:

Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder and Reasons for Use Among Adults in a US State Where Recreational Cannabis Use Is Legal

JAMA Network Open

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) among primary care patients in states with legal recreational cannabis. Patients were asked to report medical use, nonmedical use, or both, with 42.4% reporting medical use only, 25.1% nonmedical use only, and 32.5% reporting both. The prevalence of any CUD was 21.3%; for moderate to severe CUD prevalence was 6.5% overall, with 1.3% reporting medical use, 7.2% nonmedical use, and 7.5% reporting both. Those reporting medical use only tended to be older, female, and retired. Those reporting nonmedical use or both were more likely to disclose withdrawal; use in hazardous situations; use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems; important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced; and use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems. Hence, screening for CUD among patients who use cannabis is paramount.