Among 1,992 Canadian veterans, 16.7% used cannabis in the past year, with regular users having 2-4 times the odds of chronic pain, mental health disorders, and suicidal ideation, but also 5.6 times the odds of seeking professional help.
Veterans affairs clinicians, mental health providers serving veterans, cannabis policy researchers, and veterans considering or using cannabis.
Regular users: 4x odds of mental disorders, 5.6x odds of seeking help
What the researchers found
Regular cannabis use was associated with increased odds of tobacco smoking, arthritis, any chronic pain, several mental disorders, and suicidal ideation (AOR 1.61-3.99). Both infrequent and regular cannabis users were more likely to perceive a need for care (AOR 2.15 and 4.85) and seek professional help (AOR 2.25 and 5.56) compared to non-users.
Why it matters
The dual finding matters: veterans who use cannabis regularly have complex health needs, but they are also significantly more likely to seek help. This creates a clinical opportunity for providers to address multiple needs when cannabis-using veterans present for care.
The numbers in context
1,992 veterans. 16.7% used cannabis past year. Infrequent use: AOR 2.37 for PTSD, 2.58 for binge drinking. Regular use: AOR 1.61-3.99 for chronic pain, mental disorders, suicidal ideation. Regular users: AOR 4.85 for perceived need for care, 5.56 for professional help-seeking.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional analysis of 1,992 veteran respondents from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey. Logistic regression examined associations between past 12-month cannabis use (none, infrequent, regular) and mental disorders, chronic pain, substance use, suicidal behaviors, and help-seeking.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cannabis use is a cause, consequence, or self-medication for the associated conditions. Self-reported data. Survey from 2018 may not reflect current patterns. Cannot distinguish medical from recreational use.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: large veteran cohort with comprehensive mental health and help-seeking measures, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
When this study was published
Published 2026. Data from 2018 survey.
The bigger picture
Veterans represent a population where cannabis use, mental health conditions, and chronic pain frequently intersect. This Canadian study adds to the growing literature showing cannabis-using veterans as a high-need, high-engagement population.
Questions still open
- Are veterans using cannabis to self-medicate PTSD and chronic pain? Does cannabis use in veterans lead to better or worse long-term mental health outcomes? How can the higher help-seeking behavior be leveraged for integrated care?
Common questions
How common is cannabis use among Canadian veterans?
Do veterans who use cannabis seek mental health help?
Read the original research
Cannabis use among Canadian veterans: associations with the use of other substances, chronic pain conditions, mental disorders, suicide behaviours, and help-seeking.
Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 28
Citation
Taillieu, Tamara L; Salmon, Samantha; Stewart-Tufescu, Ashley; Sareen, Jitender; Enns, Murray W; Mota, Natalie; Bolton, Shay-Lee; Carleton, R Nicholas; Stein, Murray B; Afifi, Tracie O. (2026). Cannabis use among Canadian veterans: associations with the use of other substances, chronic pain conditions, mental disorders, suicide behaviours, and help-seeking.. Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00377-6
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