Adults in states with recreational or medical cannabis laws were significantly more likely to use high-potency cannabis concentrates than those in states without cannabis laws.
Cannabis regulators, public health researchers, and clinicians counseling patients about cannabis use.
57% used concentratesamong past-7-day cannabis users nationally, with higher rates in states with cannabis laws
What the researchers found
Compared to no-law states, odds of using cannabis concentrates were 47% higher in recreational law states (aOR=1.47) and 29% higher in medical-only law states (aOR=1.29).
Why it matters
Cannabis concentrates contain much higher THC levels than flower and may carry greater health risks. Their increased use in legalized states suggests commercialization is driving consumption of more potent products.
The numbers in context
4,328 past-7-day cannabis users surveyed in 2021. 92.4% used plant material. 57% used concentrates. Concentrate use: RCL states 61.5%, MCL states 56.6%, no-CL states 52.5%. aOR for RCL vs. no-CL: 1.47 (95% CI 1.17-1.84).
How the study worked
Cross-sectional online survey of past-7-day cannabis users in all 50 states plus DC in 2021, with logistic regression adjusting for demographics and comparing cannabis law status groups.
Who was studied
4,328 adult past-7-day cannabis users from all 50 U.S. states and DC surveyed in 2021.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Online survey may have selection bias. Self-reported cannabis product use. Cannabis law categories may not capture variation in state-level regulations.
How to read the evidence
Large cross-sectional survey with adjusted analysis; provides useful national snapshot but limited by self-report.
When this study was published
2021 survey data reflecting established legal cannabis markets.
The bigger picture
The shift toward higher-potency cannabis products in legalized markets raises public health concerns about dose-dependent harms, particularly given limited consumer understanding of concentrate potency.
Replication
Single-year cross-sectional survey; longitudinal monitoring needed.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Are health outcomes worse for concentrate users compared to flower-only users?
- Should concentrates have different regulatory requirements than lower-potency products?
Read the original research
Adult use of highly-potent Δ9-THC cannabis concentrate products by U.S. state cannabis legalization status, 2021.
Addictive behaviors, 140, 107617
Citation
Hasin, Deborah S; Borodovsky, Jacob; Shmulewitz, Dvora; Walsh, Claire; Struble, Cara A; Livne, Ofir; Habib, Mohammad I; Fink, David S; Aharonovich, Efrat; Budney, Alan. (2023). Adult use of highly-potent Δ9-THC cannabis concentrate products by U.S. state cannabis legalization status, 2021.. Addictive behaviors, 140, 107617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107617