In a diverse sample of 2,303 young adults, experiencing race- and gender-based discrimination was associated with more cannabis consequences, use disorder symptoms, and solitary use.
Public health professionals addressing health disparities, substance use prevention program designers, researchers studying social determinants of cannabis use
Discrimination linked to worse cannabis outcomes in 2,303 young adults
What the researchers found
Race-based and gender-based discrimination, as well as experiencing multiple types of discrimination, were associated with worse cannabis use outcomes including more consequences, higher use disorder scores, and more solitary use. Interestingly, race-based discrimination was associated with fewer alcohol consequences and lower AUDIT scores. Sexual orientation-based discrimination was not significantly associated with substance use outcomes.
Why it matters
Discrimination is increasingly recognized as a social determinant of health, but its relationship with cannabis use specifically has been understudied. This study suggests that experiencing discrimination may drive people toward cannabis use as a coping mechanism, particularly through solitary use, which is a marker of more problematic consumption.
The numbers in context
N=2,303 young adults, mean age 24.7. 47% Latinx/o, 22% Asian, 22% sexual/gender diverse, 56% female. 46% reported up to 4 discrimination types. 27% reported race-based, 26% gender-based, 5% sexual orientation-based discrimination. Race- and gender-based discrimination linked to worse cannabis outcomes. Race-based discrimination linked to fewer alcohol problems.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional analysis of 2,303 young adults (mean age 24.7) predominantly in southern California. Associations between perceived everyday discrimination experiences (race-, gender-, and sexual orientation-based) and self-reported alcohol and cannabis use outcomes were examined.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish whether discrimination leads to cannabis use or other causal pathways. Self-reported discrimination and substance use. Southern California sample may not generalize nationally. Cannot control for all potential confounders. Solitary use was self-reported.
How to read the evidence
Moderate evidence from a reasonably large, diverse young adult sample, though limited by cross-sectional design.
When this study was published
2025 study examining discrimination and substance use in a diverse young adult cohort.
The bigger picture
The finding that discrimination is linked to worse cannabis outcomes but better alcohol outcomes is intriguing. It suggests that individuals experiencing discrimination may shift their coping substance use toward cannabis rather than alcohol, possibly because cannabis can be used more privately. This has implications for how substance use prevention programs are designed for marginalized populations.
Questions still open
- Why does discrimination predict worse cannabis but not alcohol outcomes? Is solitary cannabis use a mediating mechanism between discrimination and cannabis problems? Would discrimination-informed substance use interventions be more effective for marginalized youth?
Common questions
Does experiencing discrimination affect cannabis use?
Why might discrimination lead to more cannabis use but not more alcohol use?
Read the original research
Discrimination experiences and problematic alcohol and cannabis use in young adulthood.
The American journal on addictions, 34(1), 30-39
Citation
Perez, Lilian G; Troxel, Wendy M; Tucker, Joan S; Dunbar, Michael S; Rodriguez, Anthony; Klein, David J; D'Amico, Elizabeth J. (2025). Discrimination experiences and problematic alcohol and cannabis use in young adulthood.. The American journal on addictions, 34(1), 30-39. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13632
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