Depression Linked to More Frequent Cannabis Use Among Black College Students
Each unit increase in depressive symptoms was associated with 30% higher odds of frequent cannabis use among Black college students.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 221 African American HBCU students, 30% reported frequent cannabis use. Depression was positively associated with frequent use (AOR=1.3, 95% CI 1.02-1.58). Students whose mothers had graduate degrees were 2.4x more likely to report frequent use.
Key Numbers
221 students. 30% frequent cannabis use. AOR=1.3 (95% CI 1.02-1.58). Mother with graduate degree: AOR=2.4 (95% CI 1.06-5.39).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 221 African American students at an HBCU. 70% female, mean age 20.3.
Why This Research Matters
Black/African American emerging adults have high cannabis use rates but low mental health service utilization. Understanding this connection could help design culturally tailored interventions.
The Bigger Picture
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by cannabis use disorder but underrepresented in research and treatment.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional. Single HBCU. Small sample. 70% female. Low depression scores overall.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does depression drive cannabis use or vice versa?
- ?Why was maternal education associated with use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 30% of Black college students reported frequent cannabis use
- Evidence Grade:
- Small cross-sectional study at a single HBCU.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study
- Original Title:
- Association of Frequent Cannabis Use and Symptoms of Depression among Black College Students.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 1-8 (2025)
- Authors:
- Floyd, Leah J(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06472
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why study cannabis use at HBCUs?
Black young adults have high cannabis use but low mental health service use. HBCU research helps address these disparities.
Why would maternal education increase cannabis use?
The study didn't fully explain this. It could relate to disposable income or different social environments.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06472APA
Floyd, Leah J. (2025). Association of Frequent Cannabis Use and Symptoms of Depression among Black College Students.. Substance use & misuse, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2586251
MLA
Floyd, Leah J. "Association of Frequent Cannabis Use and Symptoms of Depression among Black College Students.." Substance use & misuse, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2586251
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Association of Frequent Cannabis Use and Symptoms of Depress..." RTHC-06472. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/floyd-2025-association-of-frequent-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.