SUD Treatment Patients Mostly Smoke Cannabis Flower but THC Content Drives Their Product Choices
Among 472 adults in substance use disorder treatment, dried flower and smoked cannabis dominated use patterns, with THC content as the primary purchase motivator, though some chose CBD products for perceived medical benefits.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
89% of current cannabis users smoked dried flower for non-medical purposes. Edibles were the second most common (53%), with 11% using high-potency products like dabs. Qualitative interviews revealed THC content was the primary driver of product choices, but perceived medical benefits and harm reduction motivated CBD product use. Convenience and familiarity also influenced decisions.
Key Numbers
N = 472 survey, 22 interviews. Current users: 89% smoked flower (non-medical), 53% used edibles, 11% used dabs/concentrates. THC content was primary purchase motivator. CBD products chosen for perceived medical/harm-reduction benefits.
How They Did This
Mixed-methods study: online survey of 472 adults who self-reported accessing SUD treatment and lifetime cannabis use, plus in-depth interviews with 22 participants. Quantitative analysis described product characteristics; qualitative descriptive analysis explored reasons for product choices among current users.
Why This Research Matters
People in SUD treatment represent a high-risk population for cannabis-related harms. Understanding their product preferences and motivations can help clinicians have more informed conversations about cannabis use and tailor harm reduction advice.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis product diversity explodes, understanding what draws high-risk users to specific products is essential. The finding that SUD treatment patients are attracted primarily to THC potency, while a subset seeks CBD for harm reduction, reflects the dual nature of cannabis in this population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Online survey may not reach all SUD treatment patients. Self-reported product use may be imprecise. The qualitative subset (22 participants) may not capture the full range of motivations. Cross-sectional design cannot track how product choices change over time.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would providing harm reduction guidance about product potency within SUD treatment improve outcomes?
- ?Are patients who gravitate toward CBD products at lower risk than those seeking high-THC products?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 89% of current users smoked cannabis flower
- Evidence Grade:
- Mixed-methods study with reasonable sample sizes for both survey and qualitative components. Moderate evidence for use patterns in this specific population.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices Among Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Study.
- Published In:
- Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 67-84 (2025)
- Authors:
- Matheson, Justin(9), Saini, Harseerat(2), Haines-Saah, Rebecca(4), Sanches, Marcos, Sloan, Matthew E, Zaweel, Adam, Hassan, Ahmed, Buckley, Leslie, Porathl, Amy, MacKillop, James, Hendershot, Christian S, Kloiber, Stefan, Le Foll, Bernard
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07082
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis use safe for people in addiction treatment?
This study describes patterns but does not determine safety. People in SUD treatment have higher rates of risky cannabis use. THC-seeking behavior may signal problematic patterns, while CBD-seeking may reflect harm reduction attempts.
Why are concentrates and dabs concerning?
Products like dabs deliver very high THC concentrations in a single dose. For people with substance use disorders, this rapid, intense effect may carry higher addiction and harm risks than lower-potency products.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07082APA
Matheson, Justin; Saini, Harseerat; Haines-Saah, Rebecca; Sanches, Marcos; Sloan, Matthew E; Zaweel, Adam; Hassan, Ahmed; Buckley, Leslie; Porathl, Amy; MacKillop, James; Hendershot, Christian S; Kloiber, Stefan; Le Foll, Bernard. (2025). Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices Among Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Study.. Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 67-84. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000309
MLA
Matheson, Justin, et al. "Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices Among Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Study.." Cannabis (Albuquerque, 2025. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000309
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices..." RTHC-07082. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/matheson-2025-cannabis-use-characteristics-and
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.