Ask the Expert: What is Cannabis Use Disorder and Who is at Risk?
- 26 minutes ago
- 2 min read
In this Ask the Expert video, Dr. Margaret Haney, Professor of Neurobiology and Director of the Cannabis Research Laboratory at Columbia University Medical Center, discusses cannabis use disorder (CUD) and key risk factors.
Although cannabis is often perceived as low-risk, an estimated 5.8% of the population meets criteria for CUD, with severity ranging from mild to moderate and severe.1 Research shows that individuals with more severe CUD experience diminished productivity, cognitive difficulties, and persistent use despite adverse social, occupational, or financial consequences.2
Notably, cannabis is identified as the primary substance of concern by approximately 10% of individuals entering substance use treatment in the United States.3 Risk increases with earlier age of use, higher frequency and potency (including today’s highly concentrated THC products), and co-use with substances like tobacco.
Key topics covered in this video explainer include:
Defining CUD and how it is diagnosed
Understanding the prevalence and severity of CUD in the U.S.
Examining the impacts of CUD on daily functioning and difficulties in reducing use
Identifying key risk factors, including early use, frequency, and high-potency products
Understanding the relationship between cannabis use and mental health outcomes
Recognizing cannabis withdrawal symptoms and their impact on cessation
References
Le Foll, B., Tang, V. M., Rueda, S., Trick, L. V., & Boileau, I. (2024). Cannabis use disorder: from neurobiology to treatment. The Journal of clinical investigation, 134(20), e172887. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI172887
Connor, J. P., Stjepanović, D., Le Foll, B., Hoch, E., Budney, A. J., & Hall, W. D. (2021). Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. Nature reviews. Disease primers, 7(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-021-00247-4
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2022: Admissions to and Discharges from Substance Use Treatment Services Reported by Single State Agencies. https://library.samhsa.gov/product/teds-2022-admissions-and-discharges-substance-use-treatment/pep24-07-023
