Six distinct cannabis user profiles reveal that using many product types may matter more than frequency alone
Latent profile analysis identified six cannabis user groups in Washington State, and surprisingly, the highest-frequency concentrate users reported fewer adverse events than the next most frequent group that used a wider variety of products.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Six user profiles ranged from weekly flower-only users to daily concentrate users. The four groups with most frequent and varied product use were significantly more likely to self-identify as addicted. The highest-frequency concentrate group reported fewer adverse events than the polymodal group.
Key Numbers
3,298 past-year cannabis users. Six latent profiles identified. Four highest-use groups significantly more likely to self-identify as addicted.
How They Did This
Latent profile analysis of 3,298 past-year cannabis users aged 16-65 in Washington State from the International Cannabis Policy Study (2019-2022).
Why This Research Matters
This challenges the simple assumption that more use equals more problems. Product variety may matter as much as frequency, suggesting harm reduction messaging should address polymodal use patterns.
The Bigger Picture
As legal cannabis markets expand product options, understanding how different consumption patterns relate to harm is essential. The complexity of a person's cannabis use repertoire may be a risk factor independent of frequency.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot capture transitions between user profiles. Self-reported adverse events may differ from objectively measured harms. The counterintuitive concentrate finding could reflect survivorship bias.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does switching between multiple product types create compounding risks?
- ?Would adverse event patterns hold in a longitudinal design?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- distinct cannabis user groups identified, with polymodal users reporting more adverse events than high-frequency single-product users
- Evidence Grade:
- Large sample from a well-established study with appropriate statistical methods, but cross-sectional analysis limits causal interpretation.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication using 2019-2022 survey data.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis consumption patterns, adverse events, and cannabis risk beliefs: A latent profile analysis in WA State.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 273, 112728 (2025)
- Authors:
- Garrett, Sharon B(4), Williams, Jason R(2), Carlini, Beatriz H(7), Hammond, David
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06511
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why would using more product types be associated with more problems?
Using multiple product types may reflect less controlled consumption patterns, make it harder to track intake, or expose users to varying THC concentrations across products.
Why did the heaviest concentrate users have fewer adverse events?
Several explanations are possible: tolerance from consistent high-dose use, more experienced consumption habits, or survivorship bias where those who experienced problems already reduced or stopped use.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06511APA
Garrett, Sharon B; Williams, Jason R; Carlini, Beatriz H; Hammond, David. (2025). Cannabis consumption patterns, adverse events, and cannabis risk beliefs: A latent profile analysis in WA State.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 273, 112728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112728
MLA
Garrett, Sharon B, et al. "Cannabis consumption patterns, adverse events, and cannabis risk beliefs: A latent profile analysis in WA State.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112728
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis consumption patterns, adverse events, and cannabis ..." RTHC-06511. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/garrett-2025-cannabis-consumption-patterns-adverse
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.