Original Research J Clin Psychiatry January 2026

Geographic Differences in Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder in the US Veteran Population

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry. Clinical Summary Veterans often use cannabis for chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia, yet cannabis use disorder carries meaningful psychiatric and functional burden. This study shows that cannabis risk is not evenly distributed across the country, giving clinicians and health systems a clearer map of where routine screening and treatment capacity may be most needed. Patient Summary Researchers studied whether cannabis use and signs of cannabis use disorder varied by where veterans live in the United States. In a national survey of about 2,400 veterans, they looked at how many had used cannabis in the past 6 months and how many showed signs of a cannabis-related problem, which matters because veterans may use cannabis for symptoms like pain, anxiety, sleep trouble, or trauma-related stress.

FAQ How common were cannabis use and probable cannabis use disorder in this national sample of US veterans? Key Takeaways In this nationally representative 2022 sample, 284 veterans (weighted 11.6%) reported cannabis use and 70 (weighted 2.9%) had probable CUD, reinforcing that disorder affects a substantial subset of users rather than being limited to occasional use. Clinical Guide How should clinicians screen veterans for cannabis use and probable cannabis use disorder in routine care? Patient Guide How can you have an honest, useful talk with your doctor about your cannabis use as a veteran? Patient Guide How can you tell whether your cannabis use might be turning into a bigger problem worth discussing with your doctor?