EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND CANNABIS EDIBLE USE AMONG U.S. ADULTS: A DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY

Abstract

Background: Cannabis edibles represent a rapidly expanding segment of cannabis consumption in the United States, yet their association with psychological distress remains poorly understood. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess whether adults experiencing past-month psychological distress were more likely to report cannabis edible use compared with those without distress, providing evidence to inform mental health–focused prevention strategies.

Methods: Data were drawn from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and included adults aged 18 years and older. Past-month cannabis edible use served as the dependent variable, and past-month psychological distress was the primary predictor. Weighted prevalence estimates and multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for demographic and behavioral covariates.

Results: The prevalence of edible use was substantially higher among adults with psychological distress (13.5%, 95% CI: 12.0–15.0) compared with those without distress (5.6%, 95% CI: 5.2–5.9). In adjusted analyses, psychological distress remained significantly associated with increased odds of edible use (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.21–1.71, p < 0.001). Edible users were also more likely to engage in concurrent alcohol and tobacco use and report symptoms of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, suggesting overlapping behavioral risk patterns.

Conclusion: Psychological distress was independently linked to greater cannabis edible use among U.S. adults. Future research should explore causal pathways and examine how product potency, accessibility, and stress-related coping behaviors contribute to this relationship to guide public health interventions and harm-reduction efforts.