Trends in cannabis use among U.S. adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Drug use trajectories among U.S. adults during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The extent to which our pattern of findings supports either model, however, should be interpreted with caution due to the correlational nature of our analyses. Altogether, the sociodemographic and behavioral correlates identified in this study are similar to those identified in studies of mental distress, alcohol, and cannabis use during the pandemic ( Brenneke et al, 2022 ; Nordeck et al, 2022 ; Riehm et al, 2021 ) and add urgency to intervene among these vulnerable populations.…”

“…Given the sociodemographic disparities in the impact of the pandemic on day-to-day life, with a greater burden of pandemic-related disruptions falling on women, people of color, and lower-income adults ( Karpman et al, 2020 ; Kochhar, 2020 ), changes in drug use – which may be done as a means of coping with stress, isolation, grief, or job loss ( MacMillan et al, 2021 ) – may also be heterogeneous according to these characteristics. Finally, slight increases in psychological distress, cannabis use, and alcohol use documented in other studies ( Brenneke et al, 2022 ; Nordeck et al, 2022 ; Riehm et al, 2021 ) suggest that similar changes may have occurred in drug use, given the interrelatedness of mental health and substance use. Altogether, tracking use of drugs other than cannabis or alcohol constitutes an important surveillance activity that could have implications for targeted prevention efforts during the pandemic and afterwards.…”

“…In a nationally-representative cross-sectional survey in June 2020, 13.3% of adults retrospectively reported having started or increased substance use during the pandemic, which increased to 15.1% in a September 2020 follow-up survey ( Czeisler et al, 2020 , 2021 ). Slight changes in levels of alcohol and cannabis use in the overall population have been observed during the first several months of pandemic ( Brenneke et al, 2022 ; Nordeck et al, 2022 ).…”

Predicting Self-Medication with Cannabis in Young Adults with Hazardous Cannabis Use

“…First, this study was conducted prior to the beginning of the impacts of COVID-19 in the U.S. In the U.S., both cannabis use and mental health symptomology have increased in the context of the global pandemic, where lockdowns and isolation have been prevalent to promote public health and prevent the spread of disease [49]. The results might differ if this same study were conducted following the pandemic and related lockdowns.…”

“…As previously noted, in the U.S., 6% of all young adults who use cannabis will develop a CUD. With cannabis use rates increasing during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic [49], the findings from this study can be especially relevant to aiding in prevention and treatment strategies. Having knowledge of reasons why individuals might turn to self-medication with cannabis will inform prevention and treatment and potentially lower the rates of CUD in this age group.…”