A Canadian population survey of 5,196 adults found that ADHD did not predict arrest history in either sex, but cannabis misuse and conduct disorder symptoms were significant predictors, with both exerting stronger effects on arrest history for women than men.
Criminal justice researchers; mental health clinicians working with justice-involved populations; policymakers considering cannabis and criminal justice reform.
Cannabis misuse predicted arrest history more strongly in women than men
What the researchers found
Researchers surveyed 5,196 Ontario adults to examine whether ADHD predicted arrest history after controlling for other criminogenic factors.
In the combined sample, conduct disorder symptoms, problematic alcohol use, and problematic cannabis use all predicted arrest history. ADHD did not.
Sex-specific analyses revealed important differences:
- For men: conduct disorder symptoms, alcohol problems, cannabis problems, and general distress predicted arrests.
- For women: only conduct disorder symptoms and problematic cannabis use predicted arrests.
Notably, conduct disorder symptoms and cannabis misuse had stronger effects on arrest history for women than for men.
ADHD did not predict arrest history in any model, suggesting that earlier studies linking ADHD to criminality may have been confounded by co-occurring conduct disorder and substance use.
Why it matters
This challenges the commonly cited link between ADHD and criminality by showing it disappears when conduct disorder and substance use are properly controlled. The sex-specific finding that cannabis misuse was a stronger predictor of arrests for women than men adds nuance to understanding gendered pathways to criminal justice involvement.
The numbers in context
5,196 adults surveyed. Cannabis misuse and conduct disorder were significant predictors of arrest in the combined sample. Both had stronger effects for women than men. ADHD was not significant in any of the three models.
How the study worked
Telephone population survey of 5,196 Ontario adults. ADHD screened with ASRS-V1.1. Cannabis misuse assessed with ASSIST. Conduct disorder assessed with MINI. Three separate logistic regression analyses (combined, male, female).
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional self-report survey. Arrest history is self-reported and may be subject to recall or social desirability bias. Ontario-specific findings may not generalize to other jurisdictions. Cannabis "misuse" as defined by screening tools may capture a wide range of use patterns.
How to read the evidence
Moderate. Large population-based sample with appropriate statistical controls, but cross-sectional design and self-report measures limit causal conclusions.
When this study was published
Published in 2018. The intersection of cannabis policy, gender, and criminal justice continues to evolve.
The bigger picture
The finding that cannabis misuse specifically predicted female arrest history (while alcohol did not) suggests different substances may play different roles in criminal justice involvement by sex. This has implications for gender-responsive prevention and intervention programs.
Questions still open
- Why does cannabis misuse show a stronger relationship with arrests for women? Is this about cannabis-specific behavior, or does cannabis misuse in women correlate with other unmeasured risk factors? Would decriminalization change this pattern?
Common questions
Does ADHD really not increase crime risk?
Why would cannabis affect arrest risk differently by sex?
Read the original research
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and arrest history: Differential association of clinical characteristics by sex.
International journal of law and psychiatry, 58, 150-156
Citation
Kolla, Nathan J; van der Maas, Mark; Erickson, Patricia G; Mann, Robert E; Seeley, Jane; Vingilis, Evelyn. (2018). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and arrest history: Differential association of clinical characteristics by sex.. International journal of law and psychiatry, 58, 150-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2018.04.006
Explore the wider topic
- Physical vs Psychological Cannabis Dependence: What Science Actually Shows
- The Gap Between Cannabis Perception and Science: Why What We Believe Outpaces What We Know
- Cannabis Use Disorder: Am I Addicted? Self-Assessment Guide
- Cross-Addiction After Quitting Weed: When One Habit Replaces Another
- Is Weed Addictive? What the Research Actually Shows
- Is Cannabis Addictive? What the DSM-5 and Brain Science Say
- Quitting Weed and Alcohol Together: What to Know About Dual Cessation
- Is Rehab Necessary for Weed? An Honest Assessment
- Signs You May Have Cannabis Use Disorder: An Honest Self-Assessment
- Weed Vape Pen Addiction: Why Vaping Makes It Harder to Quit