Vaping concentrates was linked to increasing cannabis problems while edible users had fewer issues | Research

The takeaway

Among 338 young sexual minority and gender diverse adults, those who primarily vaped concentrates showed increasing cannabis use frequency and problems over time compared to smokers, while edible users had fewer problems, largely because they used cannabis less often.

Young cannabis users choosing between products, and harm reduction advocates.

Concentrate vapers showed increasing cannabis frequency and problems over time vs smokers

What the researchers found

Four groups emerged: smoking (reference), vaping concentrates, edible use, and multiple modes. Edible users tended to use cannabis less frequently and reported fewer problems than smokers. Concentrate vapers experienced more problems and more frequent use at follow-up compared to smokers, controlling for baseline levels. Using multiple modes per day was not associated with frequency or problems.

Why it matters

Different cannabis products carry different risk profiles, and this study provides evidence that vaping concentrates may be particularly risky for developing problematic use patterns, while edible use appears to carry lower risk. This has practical implications for harm reduction messaging.

The numbers in context

338 participants, ages 18-25. Four groups: smoking, vaping concentrates, edibles, multiple modes. Concentrate vapers: more problems and more frequent use at follow-up vs smokers. Edible users: less frequent use and fewer problems vs smokers. Multiple mode users: no difference from smokers.

How the study worked

Latent profile analysis of 338 sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals (ages 18-25) who used cannabis. Groups were identified based on modes of use, then compared on cannabis use frequency and consequences using longitudinal data with baseline controls.

What this study cannot tell us

Sample was limited to sexual minority women and gender diverse young adults, who may have different use patterns than other populations. Latent profile analysis groups are data-driven and may not replicate in other samples. Concentrate vaping group may have started with higher risk profiles.

How to read the evidence

Longitudinal analysis with baseline controls in a specific population (SGM young adults), limited by sample demographics and data-driven group identification.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

The concentrate vaping finding is concerning because concentrates deliver high THC doses efficiently, which may accelerate tolerance and dependence. Combined with the RTHC-06376 finding that higher potency cannabis is associated with more use (not less), this adds to evidence that high-concentration products pose outsized addiction risks.

Questions still open

Would these patterns hold in other populations? Is the lower risk of edibles driven entirely by less frequent use, or do the pharmacokinetics of oral consumption play a role? Should harm reduction messaging specifically caution against concentrate vaping?

Common questions

Are edibles safer than smoking cannabis?

In this study, edible users had fewer cannabis-related problems, but this was attributed to less frequent use rather than any inherent safety of edibles. People who choose edibles may simply use cannabis less often.

Why are concentrates potentially more problematic?

Concentrates deliver very high THC doses quickly, which may accelerate tolerance development. This study found people who primarily vaped concentrates increased their use frequency and problems over time compared to smokers.

Read the original research

Modes of cannabis use, frequency of use, and cannabis use problems: A latent profile analysis of modes of cannabis use.

Addictive behaviors, 164, 108285

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Dyar, Christina; Green, Elise; Rhew, Isaac C. (2025). Modes of cannabis use, frequency of use, and cannabis use problems: A latent profile analysis of modes of cannabis use.. Addictive behaviors, 164, 108285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108285