Cannabis Use Disorder & Health Impacts

Cannabis use is a growing public health concern as cannabis use becomes more common across the United States. While many people perceive cannabis as low-risk, regular or heavy use can lead to a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and a range of negative physical, mental, and social health outcomes.

Cannabis Use Disorder by the Numbers

• An estimated 64.2 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. used cannabis in 2024, a roughly 20.7% increase from 2021.[1]

• In 2024, 20.6 million people aged 12 or older had a CUD, with the highest rates among young adults aged 18-25 years old (15.8 million people).[1]

• CUD is the second most common substance use disorder, behind alcohol use disorder.[1]

• Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop CUD.[2]

• Risk is significantly higher among those who begin using cannabis during adolescence.[2]

• Despite increasing prevalence, treatment rates for cannabis use disorder remain low relative to need.[3]

Modes of Cannabis Use

Cannabis can be consumed in many different forms, which can influence how quickly and intensely its effects are felt. Common methods of use include:

• Smoking

• Vaping

• Dabbing waxes, shatter, or concentrates

• Eating or drinking cannabis-infused products

• Placing drops, strips, lozenges, or sprays in the mouth or under the tongue

• Applying lotions, creams, or patches to the skin

Impact on Physical Health

• Respiratory health: Smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs and is associated with chronic bronchitis symptoms, airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation.[4]

• Cardiovascular effects: Cannabis can increase heart rate and may raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmias.[4]

• Pregnancy outcomes: Cannabis use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight and potential developmental concerns.[4]

• Gastrointestinal issues: Chronic use can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, characterized by severe nausea and vomiting.[4]

Mental Health and Brain Effects

Cannabis use, especially frequent or high-potency use, can significantly impact mental health:

• Anxiety and depression: Cannabis use can contribute to or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression.[4]

• Psychosis and schizophrenia: Cannabis use is linked to an increased risk of psychosis and long-term mental disorders, particularly among those who start young or use frequently.[4]

• Cognitive effects: Frequent or heavy cannabis use has been shown to contribute to cognitive impairments such as memory, attention, learning, decision making, emotions, and reaction time.[5]

• Cancer risk: Evidence indicates that using cannabis products, especially through smoking, may increase the risk of developing various cancers.[4]

• Brain development: Adolescent cannabis use can affect brain regions responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation.[4]

• Suicide risk: Research has linked cannabis use with increased risk of suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and attempts among adolescents and young adults, even after accounting for other mental health conditions.[6]

Social and Community Impact

Cannabis use can have broader impacts beyond individual health:

• Impaired driving: Cannabis slows reaction time and impairs coordination, increasing the risk of injury and death due to impaired driving and accidents.[4]

• Academic and occupational outcomes: Frequent use is associated with lower academic achievement, employment, and reduced productivity.[4]

• Public health burden: Rising cannabis use, increasing THC potency, and related healthcare utilization contribute to growing public health concerns.[4]

Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder

While there are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat CUD, behavioral therapies—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and contingency management—have shown effectiveness in reducing cannabis use, building coping skills, and improving health outcomes.[4]

Resources and Additional Information

• [Video] Ask the Expert: What is Cannabis Use Disorder and Who is at Risk?

• [Video] Ask the Expert: How Is Cannabis Use Disorder Diagnosed and Treated?

• [Webinar] Cannabis Use Disorder: Prevention and Treatment

• [Webinar] Extent of Cannabis Use: Trends, Risks, and Policy Landscape

• [Webinar] Cannabis and Health: What the Science Tells Us

• [Research] Adolescent Cannabis Use Associated With Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders

• [Research] Study Finds Association Between Chronic Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Dysfunction

• [Research] Cannabis use Associated with Increased Suicide Risk, Even Controlling for Depression

• [Research] Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack in Adults Under 50, Study Finds

• [Research] Study Reveals Greater Health Risks of Adolescent Cannabis Use Compared to Adults

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP25-07-007, NSDUH Series H-60). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health/national-releases/2024

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Cannabis Facts and Stats. https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

3. Mauro, P. M., Gutkind, S., Askari, M. S., Hasin, D. S., Samples, H., Mauro, C. M., Annunziato, E. M., Boustead, A. E., & Martins, S. S. (2024). Associations between cannabis policies and state-level specialty cannabis use disorder treatment in the United States, 2004-2019. Drug and alcohol dependence, 257, 111113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111113

4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Cannabis (Marijuana). Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Cannabis Health Effects. https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/

6. Maffre Maviel, G., Somma, C., Davisse-Paturet, C., Airagnes, G., & Melchior, M. (2025). The role of depression in the relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug and alcohol dependence, 273, 112714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112714