Cannabis: a study (finally) sets the record straightDaily news

As a general rule, researchers have found that non-problematic cannabis users are women; use it only occasionally; and consume it in a social setting, along with alcohol. 

“The scientific literature often focuses on the problems and consequences of cannabis use,” said Guillaume Dubé, who conducted this study at the University of Montreal before pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Sherbrooke. 

“I found it a bit inconsistent that there weren't many studies on people who use it in a non-problematic way. There is a kind of stigma surrounding the substance, a kind of generalized belief that it automatically causes problems, which is not the case. Of course, there are risks, but they are not universal.” 

Risk reduction strategies encourage cannabis users to adopt less risky behaviors, such as refraining from daily or heavy use, or limiting the simultaneous use of other psychoactive substances, the study authors note. 

However, they say, “little is known about the characteristics of people who use cannabis but are at lower risk of developing a cannabis use disorder.”

Dubé and his colleagues therefore studied the responses of 731 adults aged around 35 who participated in a study on nicotine addiction in 2022 and 2023. Sociodemographic factors, mental health, lifestyle, and cannabis use patterns were compared between participants who did not use cannabis, those who used it at low risk, and those who were at higher risk for problematic use. 

Approximately 44% of subjects reported using cannabis in the past year, of whom 63% were classified as low risk and 37% as high risk for problematic use. 

Compared to other participants, those at high risk of problematic use were more likely to be male and have lower levels of education. Several mental health indicators were less favorable among participants at higher risk of problematic use, who also reported a higher prevalence of smoking. 

Being female and the simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol were associated with a higher prevalence of low-risk cannabis use, while a higher frequency of cannabis use, the simultaneous use of cannabis and tobacco, and smoking were associated with a lower prevalence of low-risk use. 

“Our results indicate that a majority of users will not develop a cannabis use disorder,” said Dubé. “From a sociodemographic perspective, the majority of people who use it in a non-problematic way are very similar to those who do not use it.”

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