Veterans with free cannabis access chose high-THC products and used cannabis as a substitute for other drugs
Most veterans with free cannabis access used it to substitute for prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances, but primarily selected higher-risk formulations (high THC, low CBD, smoked).
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The majority of veterans reported using cannabis as a substitute for prescription medications, alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances. However, they predominantly chose high-THC/low-CBD products and smoked them frequently (modal use >4x/day, 5-8 grams/week). Most used cannabis to self-treat multiple physical and mental health conditions.
Key Numbers
93 veterans surveyed; 84.9% male; modal use >4x/day; 5-8 grams/week typical; majority selected high THC/low CBD formulations; most used smoked route of administration.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional self-report survey of 93 US military veterans (84.9% male) with access to free cannabis through a veterans' collective, assessing formulation choices, routes of administration, and substitution practices.
Why This Research Matters
As veteran access to cannabis expands, this study reveals a concerning pattern: while substitution away from opioids and alcohol may be beneficial, veterans are gravitating toward the highest-risk cannabis products without clinical guidance.
The Bigger Picture
Veterans are a population with high rates of chronic pain, PTSD, and substance use issues. Removing cost barriers to cannabis access shows they will use it heavily, raising questions about whether unguided access serves their health interests.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small, self-selected sample (93 veterans). Cross-sectional design cannot establish substitution as causal. No objective verification of substitution claims. Free access may not reflect typical use patterns.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would clinical guidance shift veterans toward lower-risk CBD-rich products?
- ?Does heavy, unguided cannabis use actually improve veterans' health outcomes compared to conventional treatments?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- High THC/low CBD preferred
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: small cross-sectional survey with self-reported data.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- A cross-sectional examination of choice and behavior of veterans with access to free medicinal cannabis.
- Published In:
- The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 45(5), 506-513 (2019)
- Authors:
- Loflin, Mallory J E(3), Babson, Kimberly, Sottile, James(2), Norman, Sonya B, Gruber, Staci, Bonn-Miller, Marcel O
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02142
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What did veterans substitute cannabis for?
Most reported substituting cannabis for prescription medications, alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances, often for multiple conditions simultaneously.
What cannabis products did veterans choose?
They primarily selected high-THC, low-CBD products that were smoked, which are considered higher-risk formulations.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02142APA
Loflin, Mallory J E; Babson, Kimberly; Sottile, James; Norman, Sonya B; Gruber, Staci; Bonn-Miller, Marcel O. (2019). A cross-sectional examination of choice and behavior of veterans with access to free medicinal cannabis.. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 45(5), 506-513. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2019.1604722
MLA
Loflin, Mallory J E, et al. "A cross-sectional examination of choice and behavior of veterans with access to free medicinal cannabis.." The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2019.1604722
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A cross-sectional examination of choice and behavior of vete..." RTHC-02142. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/loflin-2019-a-crosssectional-examination-of
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.