Updated Federal Substance Survey Includes Cannabis and CBD Preferences

2022 NSDUH Report: Unveiling New Trends and Methods in Cannabis Consumption

A prominent federal health agency, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently unveiled the results of its latest annual survey, the 2022 National Survey on Substance Use and Health (NSDUH). This unveiling, which occurred on Monday and was notably shared via X (previously known as Twitter) by the U.S. At precisely 4:20 pm Eastern Time, Secretary Xavier Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) heralds a substantial progression in the survey’s methodology for evaluating substance utilization trends, with a specific focus on cannabis.

In this latest iteration of the NSDUH, SAMHSA has implemented a series of critical modifications to the national questionnaire’s section dedicated to cannabis. These changes are reflective of the dynamic and evolving landscape of cannabis policy. Notably, the revised questionnaire introduces new queries aimed at garnering insights into various modes of cannabis consumption. These encompass, though are not restricted to, the utilization of vaporization devices (vapes), ingestible cannabis commodities, concentrated cannabis doses (dabs), topical applications, such as lotions, and commodities derived from cannabidiol (CBD).

The inclusion of these new questions represents a concerted effort by SAMHSA to capture a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of cannabis use patterns in the contemporary context. This holds particular relevance, especially in light of the growing array of cannabis products and the expanding legislative approval of cannabis for both medical and recreational uses across multiple states.

Moreover, the 2022 NSDUH goes beyond the traditional scope of differentiating merely between cannabis and hemp products. It delves into more intricate details, such as the frequency of cannabis use, thereby providing a richer and more detailed portrait of consumption habits. This granularity in data collection is essential for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, as it offers a more accurate representation of the current state of cannabis use and its implications for public health.

The timely release of the survey, as well as the specific hour chosen for its dissemination, underscores the growing recognition and importance of cannabis-related issues within the public health domain. By updating and expanding the scope of its survey, SAMHSA demonstrates a commitment to keeping pace with the rapidly shifting landscape of cannabis use and regulation. Such efforts are crucial in ensuring that public health policies and interventions are informed by the latest trends and patterns, thereby effectively addressing the needs and challenges posed by the evolving dynamics of cannabis consumption.

In its comprehensive overview, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) elucidated significant alterations to the market information section about cannabis in its latest survey. SAMHSA articulated that the revisions primarily focused on shifting the survey’s emphasis toward the purchase behaviors of cannabis or cannabis products. This is in contrast to previously exploring the various avenues through which individuals might have acquired these products. According to SAMHSA, this strategic modification was implemented to facilitate more precise and accurate reporting of cannabis and cannabis product purchases, particularly in states where cannabis has been decriminalized or legalized. This adjustment in the survey’s methodology is a reflection of the evolving legal landscape of cannabis and aims to capture more relevant data in light of these changes.

In the broader spectrum of the survey’s findings, the principal thrust revealed that the trends in past use of cannabis remained relatively constant in 2022, showing no substantial deviation from the figures recorded in the previous year. However, it is noteworthy that there was a marginal increase in cannabis use compared to the levels observed in 2019 and 2020. This slight rise in usage rates may be partially ascribed to the relaxation of social restrictions that were stringently imposed during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The easing of these restrictions potentially facilitated greater accessibility and opportunities for cannabis consumption, thereby contributing to the observed uptick in usage. Furthermore, the gradual normalization of social and economic activities post-pandemic could also be a contributing factor to this trend. This nuanced understanding of the interplay between social restrictions and cannabis use trends is crucial for stakeholders in the field of public health and policy-making. It underscores the need to consider a wide array of societal and environmental factors when analyzing substance use patterns and formulating relevant public health strategies.

Overall, the 2022 National Survey on Substance Use and Health by SAMHSA provides valuable insights into the current state of cannabis consumption, reflecting the subtle yet significant changes occurring within this domain. These findings are instrumental in guiding future research, policy development, and public health initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with the contemporary realities of cannabis use and regulation.

Exploring the Evolving Trends in Cannabis Consumption: Insights from SAMHSA’s Revised Survey

The revised questionnaire from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has yielded a particularly noteworthy set of data points, particularly concerning the methods of cannabis consumption. For the first time in its survey history, SAMHSA inquired respondents about their preferred modes of consuming cannabis. This marked a significant expansion in the scope of the questionnaire, reflecting the diversification in cannabis consumption methods prevalent in contemporary society.

Respondents were presented with a comprehensive array of options to accurately represent their cannabis consumption habits. These options included traditional methods such as smoking, as well as more modern practices like vaping and dabbing waxes, shatter, or concentrates. Additionally, the questionnaire explored the consumption of cannabis through edibles and drinks, sublingual administration (such as drops, strips, lozenges, or sprays under the tongue), topical application using lotions or creams, and ingestion via pills.

SAMHSA’s approach to this inquiry was inclusive, allowing respondents the flexibility to report multiple methods of cannabis use within the past year or month. For instance, a participant in the survey could indicate that they had both smoked and vaped cannabis over the previous year. This multi-faceted approach to data collection is crucial in capturing the full spectrum of cannabis use behaviors, acknowledging that individuals may engage in a variety of consumption methods.

Furthermore, the survey was designed to encompass a broad spectrum of cannabis use modalities. In addition to the aforementioned methods, respondents were also provided with the opportunity to describe other, less conventional methods of cannabis consumption that were not explicitly listed in the questionnaire. This open-ended aspect of the survey ensures that even the most unique or emerging methods of consumption are accounted for, offering a comprehensive overview of the current cannabis use landscape.

This detailed and nuanced exploration of cannabis consumption methods in SAMHSA’s survey is a reflection of the evolving nature of cannabis use and the agency’s commitment to understanding these changes. Through its comprehensive coverage of various modes of consumption, the survey yields invaluable insights into the predilections and conduct of individuals who use cannabis. This data is instrumental for public health officials, policymakers, and researchers in understanding the multifaceted nature of cannabis use, enabling them to tailor public health strategies and policies to the real-world context of cannabis consumption.

The 2022 survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed insightful data regarding the prevalent methods of cannabis consumption among individuals aged 12 and older. The findings indicate that smoking remains the predominant method of consumption, with a significant 78 percent of respondents reporting this method in the past year. This was followed by the ingestion of cannabis through eating or drinking infused products, which was reported by 47 percent of the respondents. Vaping was the chosen method by 37 percent while dabbing was preferred by 18 percent. Additionally, 15 percent of respondents indicated their use of ‘other’ methods, which encompass a variety of modalities including but not limited to lotions, patches, pills, and lozenges.

In terms of overall cannabis usage, cannabis continues to be the most commonly used substance categorized as illicit at the federal level. The survey’s results show that past-year use of cannabis stood at 22 percent and past-month use at 15 percent among those aged 12 and older in 2022. These figures represent an increase from the previous year, which saw past-year use at 19 percent and past-month use at 13.2 percent in 2021.

Focusing on the adolescent demographic, the survey disclosed that 6.4 percent of teenagers aged between 12 and 17 reported using cannabis in the past month for the year 2022. This statistic marks a marginal rise from the 6.1 percent reported in the previous year. However, it is notable that this rate still signifies a decrease from the 7.4 percent rate observed in 2019.

These statistics provide a nuanced understanding of the current landscape of cannabis use across different age groups. The varying prevalence rates and methods of consumption highlighted by the survey underscore the evolving nature of cannabis use in society. This information is crucial for public health professionals, policymakers, and educators in formulating targeted strategies to address the use of cannabis, especially among younger populations. The data also serves as a vital tool for monitoring trends over time, offering insights into the impacts of changing societal norms, legal landscapes, and public health initiatives related to cannabis use.

Cannabis Legalization and Youth Consumption: A Debate Between Regulation and Prohibition

The comprehensive data collated from the survey suggests that youth consumption of cannabis has remained comparatively stable, even as an increasing number of states have implemented adult-use legalization policies. This observation has been pivotal in reinforcing the argument, particularly among advocates of cannabis reform, that the establishment of regulated markets, which mandate identification verification for sales, acts as an efficacious deterrent against underage use. This perspective challenges the assertions made by proponents of prohibition, who have frequently claimed that legal reforms about cannabis would precipitate a significant surge in its use among the younger population.

This viewpoint is further bolstered by the empirical evidence suggesting that regulated environments, which enforce strict age restrictions and ID requirements for the purchase of cannabis, contribute to a controlled and responsible framework for its consumption. Advocates argue that such regulatory measures reduce the likelihood of cannabis falling into the hands of underage individuals, thereby mitigating the risks associated with unregulated access.

On the other hand, Kevin Sabet, representing the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), offers a contrasting interpretation of the data. Sabet contends that the survey results indicate an alarming increase in cannabis usage across all age groups, characterizing this trend as a “skyrocketing” phenomenon. This perspective highlights a deep-seated concern among prohibitionist groups regarding the broader implications of cannabis legalization and its potential impact on societal consumption patterns.

Sabet’s viewpoint underscores a broader debate surrounding cannabis legalization and its societal impacts. Prohibitionist organizations like SAM tend to emphasize the potential risks and negative consequences associated with increased access to cannabis, advocating for a cautious approach to legalization and the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks to safeguard public health, particularly among youth.

In summary, the survey’s findings contribute to an ongoing discourse regarding the effects of cannabis legalization on youth consumption. While advocates of legalization argue that regulated markets effectively deter underage use, prohibitionist voices raise concerns about the overall increase in cannabis consumption across various demographics. This dichotomy of perspectives underscores the complexity and contentious nature of cannabis policy and its societal implications, necessitating a nuanced and evidence-based approach to public policy and health initiatives in this domain.

National Survey Reveals Trends in Cannabis and CBD Use and Industry Impact

In a formal statement conveyed through a press release, Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) articulated a critical perspective on the increasing prevalence of cannabis use. Sabet posited, “The substantial investments in lobbying, marketing, and product development in the cannabis industry have yielded an escalation in consumption and dependency.” He further emphasized, “The latest data released by the Department of Health and Human Services corroborates our longstanding assertion. The normalization and commercialization of today’s highly potent THC products pose detrimental consequences for Americans across all age groups, particularly impacting our future generations adversely.”

In addition to these observations, the revised survey incorporated questions regarding the use of hemp-derived CBD products, which are legally permissible at the federal level. The findings revealed that approximately 11 percent of individuals aged 12 and older reported the use of these non-intoxicating cannabinoid products in the past month. The investigation into the utilization of CBD constitutes a new augmentation to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), signifying the inaugural instance of data collection in this regard. Consequently, there exists no prior benchmark against which these recent findings can be compared, rendering this a pioneering step in the survey’s exploration of CBD consumption trends. This addition to the survey reflects an acknowledgment of the growing prevalence and significance of CBD products in the national discourse on substance use and health.

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in a timing of notable interest due to its connection with cannabis culture, released the latest survey results precisely at 4:20 pm Eastern Time on Monday. This specific timing aligns not only with the symbolic significance of the number 420 within the cannabis community but also corresponds with Secretary Becerra’s established practice of releasing cannabis-related news at this exact time.

In an official press statement, Secretary Becerra provided detailed clarification regarding the import of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, articulating, “This annual survey presents an all-encompassing portrayal of behavioral health on a national scale.” He additionally underscored the pivotal function of this dataset in influencing awareness, regulations, and initiatives. Secretary Becerra accentuated the shared obligation that extends across diverse sectors, comprising government, healthcare, industry, and the community, in harnessing this data for the provision of indispensable resources and services to individuals in need of assistance.

The inclusion of cannabis products in the survey aligns with a broader thematic shift observed within federal agencies, which are increasingly integrating more detailed cannabis-related data into their reports and analyses. This trend is reflective of the continuous growth and evolution of state cannabis markets.

In a parallel development, the U.S. Census Bureau has recently published its inaugural report on state-level cannabis tax revenue. This report represents the apex of what the agency characterizes as “a comprehensive survey of all state entities,” encompassing data collection efforts that commenced in July 2021.

Focusing on the aspect of underage cannabis use, the survey conducted by SAMHSA reveals a minor increase in 2022. However, it is essential to note that the overall trend in underage usage has remained relatively stable amidst the wave of state-level legalization efforts. This finding aligns with an expanding corpus of research on this subject, which collectively provides a nuanced understanding of the impact of cannabis legalization on underage consumption patterns.

Cannabis Legalization and Its Impact on Youth Consumption Trends

An illuminating analysis conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was unveiled in May, presents compelling evidence about cannabis consumption trends among high school students in the context of ongoing legalization efforts. The CDC’s findings indicate a continuous decline in both current and lifetime cannabis use among this demographic, a trend that is particularly noteworthy given the broader context of cannabis legalization across various states.

The data is particularly striking in its revelation that high school student cannabis use was on an upward trajectory from 2009 to 2013, a period preceding the establishment of legal cannabis dispensaries. However, a notable shift is observed in the trend, with a general decline in usage rates commencing post-2013. This period aligns with significant milestones in cannabis policy reform; the first state recreational legalization laws were ratified by voters in 2012, and regulated retail sales commenced in 2014. This temporal correlation suggests a possible impact of the legalization and regulation of cannabis on the consumption patterns among high school students.

In a related development, a study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) in September provided further insights into cannabis use trends, particularly among young adults. The AMA study reported “significant reductions” in cannabis usage among this age group following the enactment of state-level legalization measures. It is, however, noteworthy that there was a slight increase in consumption among young adults who had not previously tried cannabis before these policy changes.

Furthermore, an independent investigation, financed on a federal scale and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine during the preceding year, made a distinct contribution to the dialogue concerning cannabis legalization and its impact on youth consumption. This study concluded that state-level cannabis legalization does not correlate with an uptick in youth cannabis use. The study emphasized that “adolescents who spent a more significant duration of their formative years in an environment where cannabis legalization was in effect exhibited no greater or lesser likelihood of cannabis usage by the age of 15, in comparison to their peers who had limited exposure to legalization.”

These studies collectively paint a nuanced picture of cannabis use among youth in the era of legalization. They suggest that, contrary to some concerns, state-level legalization and regulation of cannabis might not be associated with increased usage among adolescents. Instead, these policy shifts could be contributing to a more controlled and possibly reduced pattern of cannabis consumption among younger demographics. This body of research serves as a vital reference for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and educators in understanding and addressing the complexities surrounding cannabis use among young populations.

Understanding Cannabis Consumption Trends and Regulatory Compliance in the United States

An additional study, underwritten by federal funds and conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, was published last year in the esteemed journal PLOS One. This scholarly investigation unveiled that “in jurisdictions where cannabis is legally sanctioned, there may be an escalation in the commencement of cannabis consumption among older adults.” Nevertheless, it is conspicuously devoid of indications pointing toward a corresponding uptick among individuals below the legal age threshold, as they are precluded by law from procuring cannabis commodities from retail establishments.

Complementing these findings, the Colorado cannabis regulatory body made an announcement last month, highlighting the results of their rigorous underage sales checks at state-licensed cannabis stores. Out of 285 inspections conducted this year, there were merely four instances of non-compliance, culminating in an impressive compliance rate of approximately 99 percent.

Further underscoring the effectiveness of regulatory measures, a study published in May in the Journal of Safety Research employed underage operatives to assess the adherence of California dispensaries to legal requirements, particularly the mandatory ID verification before proceeding with adult-use cannabis transactions. This analysis, which involved visits to 90 shops across the state, demonstrated a remarkable 100 percent compliance rate.

In a similar vein, an undercover operation conducted in Oregon in 2017 involving cannabis stores and underage youth purchasers resulted in a 100 percent success rate in preventing illegal sales to minors.

Parallel to these developments, a recent Gallup poll disclosed that a significant proportion of American adults, amounting to half, have experimented with cannabis at some stage in their lives. The poll further revealed that active cannabis consumption now surpasses tobacco use. Delving deeper into the age demographics, the poll found that 29 percent of individuals aged 18 to 34 report current cannabis smoking. Nonetheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that these statistics may not comprehensively encompass the entirety of cannabis utilization, given that the survey exclusively probed into smoking and omitted other modalities of consumption.

These collective findings and observations from various studies and surveys offer a multifaceted view of the landscape of cannabis use in the United States. They provide critical insights into the efficacy of regulatory frameworks in legal states, particularly in maintaining compliance regarding sales to underage individuals. Furthermore, these studies contribute valuable perspectives on the evolving patterns of cannabis consumption across different age groups in the context of legal and regulated environments.