Nearly two-thirds of regular cannabis users at French music festivals met criteria for dependence

63.4% of regular cannabis users (at least monthly) at music festivals met DSM-IV dependence criteria. Over 40% of regular users reported health and/or social consequences. Dependent users were significantly more likely to also use stimulants and hallucinogens compared to non-dependent users.

Cross-sectional survey at 13 music events in Loire-Atlantique, France (July 2017-July 2018). 383 participants aged 18+ completed face-to-face interviews covering demographics, substance use, and DSM-IV cannabis dependence criteria.

Music festivals attract high rates of substance use but are rarely targeted for cannabis-specific harm reduction. Finding that most regular users at festivals meet dependence criteria suggests these events could be important venues for reaching people who might benefit from treatment information.

Traditional health care settings reach only a small proportion of cannabis users who might benefit from support. Festivals represent an alternative venue where targeted harm reduction messaging could reach a population that skews toward heavier, more consequential use patterns.

Festival-attending cannabis users are not representative of all cannabis users. DSM-IV dependence criteria (now replaced by DSM-5 use disorder) may overcategorize dependence. French music festival culture may differ from other countries. Self-report measures.