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Cited by 41Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesSmoking Behavior and Cessation

Quarterly trends in past-month cannabis use in the United States, 2015-2019

Open access
Palamar, Joseph J., Le, Austin, Han, Benjamin H.·2021·Drug and Alcohol Dependence
DOI 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108494PMC PMC7855903
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Abstract

Background Prevalence of cannabis use has been increasing among select subgroups in the US; however, trend analyses typically examine prevalence of use across years. We sought to determine whether there is seasonal variation in use.Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a repeated cross-sectional survey of nationally representative probability samples of noninstitutionalized populations age ≥12 in the US. Quarterly trends in any past-month cannabis use were estimated using data from 2015-2019 (N = 282,768).Results Prevalence of past-month cannabis use increased significantly from 2015 to 2019 from 8.3%-11.5%, a 38.2 % increase (P < 0.001). Prevalence increased across calendar quarters on average from 8.9 % in January-March to 10.1 % in October-December, a 13.0 % increase (P < 0.001). Controlling for survey year and participant demographics, each subsequent quarter was associated with a 6% increase in odds for use (aOR=1.06, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.07). There were significant increases by quarter among all subgroups of sex, race/ethnicity, education, and among most adult age groups (Ps<0.05), with a 52.7 % increase among those age ≥65. Prevalence also significantly increased among those without a medical cannabis prescription and those not proxy-diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (Ps<0.01), suggesting recreational use may be driving increases more than medical or more chronic use. Those reporting past-year LSD or blunt use in particular were more likely to report higher prevalence of use later in the year (a 4.9 % and 3.3 % absolute increase, respectively; Ps<0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of cannabis use increases throughout the year, independently of annual increases.

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  • In 2022, 61.9 million people (22.0%) reported using cannabis in the past year, while 42.3 million people (15.0%) used cannabis in the past 30 days, with use prevalence increasing over time.

    “In 2022, 61.9 million people (22.0 %) reported using cannabis in the past year, while 42.3 million people (15.0 %) used cannabis in the past 30 days (i.e., current use), with use prevalence increasing over time (Compton et al., 2016, Hasin and Walsh, 2021, Palamar et al., 2021, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023).”

    From Prevalence of and trends in current cannabis use among US youth and adults, 2013–2022 (2024) · cites this paper as Palamar et al., 2021

    The Results (page unavailable) report that past-month cannabis use increased from 8.3% in 2015 to 11.5% in 2019, supporting the statement that prevalence increased over time. The paper examines 2015–2019 data and does not provide the cited 2022 past-year or past-30-day counts and percentages. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2014 and 2015 Redesign Changes. Rockville, MD (Accessed 23 November 2020) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519778/. 30199191
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012 CBHSQ Methodology Report In National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Sample Redesign Issues and Methodological Studies. Rockville, MD (Accessed 23 November 2020) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531540/. 30299635

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Authors
Palamar, J. J., Le, A., & Han, B. H.
Affiliations
  • NYU Langone Health (US)
  • New York University (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Palamar, Joseph J.
ORCID
Venue
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-02
Volume
219
Pages
108494
ISSN
0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108494
PMC
PMC7855903
OpenAlex
W3120900386
Cited by
41
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2
FWCI
4.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (K23DA043651, R01DA044207)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
Keywords
cannabis use, seasonal variation, prevalence trends, recreational cannabis use, medical cannabis, cannabis use disorder, older adults
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cannabis, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Male, Marijuana Smoking, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Prevalence, Young Adult, Medical Marijuana

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