Recent marijuana use was associated with a 77% increased likelihood of moderately severe to severe depression among Black male college students, with financial stress and racial discrimination compounding the risk.
College health professionals; researchers studying racial disparities in mental health; students interested in marijuana-depression connections
77% increased depression risk with recent marijuana use
What the researchers found
Logistic regression analysis of 1,599 Black male collegians found that recent marijuana use increased the likelihood of experiencing moderately severe to severe depression by 77%. Younger students and those experiencing financial stress or racial discrimination were also at elevated risk.
Why it matters
Black male college students face unique intersecting stressors -- racial discrimination, financial pressures, and cultural stigma around mental health help-seeking. This study highlights that marijuana use may compound rather than alleviate depression in this population.
The numbers in context
1,599 Black male collegians analyzed; 77% increased likelihood of moderately severe to severe depression with recent marijuana use; younger students at higher risk
How the study worked
Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Healthy Minds Study (HMS), a web-based survey. 1,599 Black male college students analyzed using logistic regression to examine the relationship between marijuana use and depression severity.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether marijuana use preceded depression or vice versa. Self-reported data subject to recall and social desirability bias. Web-based survey may not be representative of all Black male college students. Did not control for marijuana frequency, potency, or mode of use.
How to read the evidence
Large cross-sectional study using an established survey instrument, but cannot establish causation or directionality between marijuana use and depression.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
This adds to a growing body of research examining how social determinants of health interact with substance use. It challenges the self-medication narrative by showing marijuana use is associated with worse, not better, depression outcomes in this population.
Questions still open
- Does marijuana use precede depression onset, or are depressed students more likely to use marijuana? Would the association hold after controlling for cannabis use frequency and potency? How do campus-level factors (HBCU vs. PWI) influence this relationship?
Common questions
Does this prove marijuana causes depression?
Why focus specifically on Black male college students?
Read the original research
Associations Between Moderately Severe to Severe Depression and Marijuana Usage Among Black Male Collegians: Results from the Healthy Minds Study.
Social work in public health, 40(5), 288-302
Citation
Richardson, Terrell T; Cain, Daphne S; Cheatham, Leah. (2025). Associations Between Moderately Severe to Severe Depression and Marijuana Usage Among Black Male Collegians: Results from the Healthy Minds Study.. Social work in public health, 40(5), 288-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2025.2475035
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