Analysis identifies sharply different health risks among medicinal, recreational and dual cannabis users

With recreational cannabis now legal in 24 states, including Delaware, user numbers are increasing rapidly. However, not all cannabis consumers are the same or face identical health issues. Professor Tarang Parekh of the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences took a unique approach, comparing medicinal cannabis users with recreational users using 2018-2021 data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

This comparative study identified key differences in demographics, health profiles and health concerns among the three user groups. The research, recently published in the Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, revealed that medicinal users, with an average age of 49, carried a heavier health burden. Nearly half were women, and this population exhibited the poorest health, with higher rates of arthritis, disability, obesity and chronic disease.

They also reported lower education levels and employment. In contrast, recreational users were generally younger, healthier men who engaged in more physical activity but reported binge drinking at a higher rate, 45%. The study also introduced a third user category: dual users, who use cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Dual users were most common, aged 25-34, and had the heaviest burden of mental health distress and cigarette smoking. The study's findings highlight significant public health concerns, particularly for older adults using cannabis and those with multiple comorbidities. The research suggests that clinicians should be prepared to address these health issues and consider potential interactions between cannabis and other medications.

While Delaware legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, its use remains prohibited in certain public spaces. Unpublished data from Delaware's 2020-2021 BRFSS, conducted before legalization, showed similar patterns, providing a more detailed picture of cannabis use in the state. The study emphasizes the need for further research to address data gaps and inform public health policies regarding cannabis use nationwide.