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. 2021 Dec 1;229(Pt B):109159.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109159. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Use of highly-potent cannabis concentrate products: More common in U.S. states with recreational or medical cannabis laws

Deborah S Hasin  1 , Jacob Borodovsky  2 , Dvora Shmulewitz  3 , Claire Walsh  4 , Ofir Livne  5 , Cara A Struble  6 , Efrat Aharonovich  7 , David S Fink  8 , Alan Budney  9
Affiliations

Use of highly-potent cannabis concentrate products: More common in U.S. states with recreational or medical cannabis laws

Deborah S Hasin et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Background: Highly-potent cannabis products, e.g., concentrates, entail greater risks of cannabis-related harms than lower-potency products such as plant or flower material. However, little information is available on whether individuals in U.S. states with recreational cannabis laws (RCL) or medical cannabis laws (MCL) are more likely than individuals in U.S. states without cannabis legalization (no-CL) to use highly-potent forms of cannabis.

Methods: Cannabis-using adults in a 2017 online survey (N = 4064) provided information on state of residence and past-month cannabis use, including types of products used, categorized as low-potency (smoked or vaped plant cannabis) or high-potency (vaping or dabbing concentrates). Multivariable logistic regression models generated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for use of high-potency cannabis products by state cannabis legalization status (RCL, MCL, no-CL).

Results: Compared to participants in no-CL states, participants in RCL states had greater odds of using high-potency concentrate products (aOR=2.61;CI=1.77-3.86), as did participants in MCL-only states (aOR=1.55;CI=1.21-1.97). When participants in RCL states and MCL states were directly compared, those in RCL states had greater odds of using high-potency concentrate products (aOR=1.69;CI=1.27-2.42).

Discussion: Although the sample was not nationally representative and the cross-sectional data precluded determining the direction of effect, results suggest that use of high-potency cannabis concentrates is more likely among those in RCL states. Clinicians in RCL states should screen cannabis users for harmful patterns of use. Policymakers in states that do not yet have RCL should consider these findings when drafting new cannabis laws, including the specific products permitted and how best to regulate them.

Keywords: Cannabis; Concentrates; Legalization; Marijuana; Potency; Vaping.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author Disclosures

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Alan Budney reports funding from NIDA as well as being a member of the Scientific Review Board of Canopy Growth and a consultant for Jazz Pharmaceuticals. All other authors of this manuscript have no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Legal status of cannabis by state in 2017
*Ns correspond to number of participants analyzed in that state.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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