Among 4,031 US young adults, those who moderately used oils and concentrates had the highest rates of problematic use, worst mental health, and were nearly 4 times more likely to drive after combined cannabis-alcohol use.
Cannabis harm reduction educators, young adult health providers, prevention researchers
4x higher odds of driving after cannabis-alcohol co-use for oil/concentrate users
What the researchers found
Four cannabis use classes emerged: infrequent-herb/edibles (41.4%), moderate-herb (28.0%), frequent-herb (16.8%), and moderate-oil/other (13.8%). The moderate-oil/other group reported the most problematic use, worst mental health, lowest quitting confidence, and highest odds of driving after cannabis-alcohol co-use (AOR=3.98). Paradoxically, frequent-herb users reported less problematic use than moderate-herb users.
Why it matters
Not all cannabis use is the same. The type of product matters as much as frequency, with oil and concentrate users showing a distinct risk profile that warrants targeted prevention messaging.
The numbers in context
4,031 young adults, 48.8% past-month use. Moderate-oil/other (13.8%): highest problematic use (B=0.39), lowest quitting confidence (B=-1.27), most mental health symptoms (B=1.03), driving after co-use AOR=3.98. Frequent-herb reported less problematic use than moderate-herb (B=-0.18).
How the study worked
Latent class analysis of 2023 survey data from 4,031 US young adults (mean age 26.3, 48.8% past-month use). Indicators included days used, frequency per day, and type usually used. Regressions examined class associations with problematic use, quitting factors, and mental health.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design. Self-reported measures. Cannot determine whether product type drives risk or whether risk-prone individuals select certain products. Young adult sample may not generalize.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: large sample with sophisticated latent class analysis, but cross-sectional design and self-reported outcomes
When this study was published
Published in 2025 using 2023 survey data
The bigger picture
The cannabis product landscape has diversified far beyond flower. Oils, concentrates, and other high-potency products appear to carry distinct risk profiles. Prevention efforts focused only on frequency may miss users whose product choice puts them at higher risk.
Questions still open
- What about oils and concentrates drives problematic use? Is it potency, ease of use, or user characteristics? Would product-specific education reduce these risks?
Common questions
Are oils and concentrates more risky than flower?
Why did frequent flower users report less problematic use?
Read the original research
Cannabis use characteristics and associations with problematic use outcomes, quitting-related factors, and mental health among US young adults.
Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 20(1), 1
Citation
Berg, Carla J; LoParco, Cassidy R; Romm, Katelyn F; Cui, Yuxian; McCready, Darcey M; Wang, Yan; Yang, Y Tony; Szlyk, Hannah S; Kasson, Erin; Chakraborty, Rishika; Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A. (2025). Cannabis use characteristics and associations with problematic use outcomes, quitting-related factors, and mental health among US young adults.. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 20(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00634-0
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