| Journal | American journal of preventive medicine |
| Study Type | Clinical Study |
| Population | Human participants |
This large national survey reveals that over one-third of young cannabis users are employing three or more consumption methods simultaneously, creating complex exposure patterns that clinicians need to understand. The finding that multimodal use correlates with increased adverse events provides critical safety data for clinical counseling of adolescent and young adult patients.
This cross-sectional analysis of 13,284 young cannabis users (ages 12-25) from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Drug Use and Health examined consumption patterns across five methods: smoking, vaping, dabbing, eating/drinking, and other routes. Surprisingly, 37.5% used three or more methods, compared to 34.0% using one method and 28.5% using two methods, with smoking being most prevalent at 83.9%. The study found positive associations between number of consumption methods and adverse events, after adjusting for demographic factors and use frequency. This suggests that consumption diversity itself, independent of use frequency, may contribute to harm risk in young users.
“I find it remarkable that multimodal use exceeds single-method use among young people—this represents a fundamental shift in consumption patterns that wasn’t on my clinical radar even five years ago. The adverse event correlation independent of frequency suggests we need to counsel patients not just about how much they use, but how many different ways they’re using.”
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Table of Contents
- FAQ
- What is multimodal cannabis use and how common is it among young people?
- Does using cannabis in multiple ways increase the risk of adverse events?
- What are the most common ways young people consume cannabis?
- Should clinicians screen for specific cannabis consumption methods in young patients?
- What clinical implications does this research have for adolescent cannabis users?
FAQ
What is multimodal cannabis use and how common is it among young people?
Multimodal cannabis use refers to consuming cannabis through multiple methods such as smoking, vaping, dabbing, and eating/drinking products. This study found that among young cannabis users aged 12-25, using 3 or more modes was most common (37.5%), followed by single-mode use (34.0%) and two-mode use (28.5%).
Does using cannabis in multiple ways increase the risk of adverse events?
Yes, the research demonstrates a clear association between the number of cannabis consumption methods and increased adverse events among adolescents and young adults. The study found that multimodal use was significantly associated with higher rates of negative outcomes even after adjusting for frequency of use and demographic factors.
What are the most common ways young people consume cannabis?
Smoking remains the most prevalent method of cannabis consumption among young users, reported by 83.9% of participants. Other common methods include vaping, dabbing (concentrated cannabis products), and consuming edible or drinkable cannabis products.
Should clinicians screen for specific cannabis consumption methods in young patients?
Yes, clinicians should ask about the variety of consumption methods, not just whether patients use cannabis. Understanding multimodal use patterns can help identify young people at higher risk for adverse events and inform more targeted harm reduction counseling.
What clinical implications does this research have for adolescent cannabis users?
This evidence suggests that diversification of cannabis consumption methods may serve as a risk marker for adverse outcomes in young people. Clinicians should consider multimodal use patterns when assessing risk and developing prevention or harm reduction strategies, though this represents early-stage evidence requiring further validation.