Patient Summary: Geographic Differences in Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder in the US Veteran Population
Plain-language summary prepared for patients and caregivers
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.
What Researchers Found
- Overall, about 1 in 9 veterans reported using cannabis in the past 6 months, and about 1 in 34 screened positive for probable cannabis use disorder, meaning signs that cannabis use may be causing problems.
- Veterans living in the Pacific region had the highest rates: about 1 in 5 reported cannabis use, and about 1 in 11 showed signs of probable cannabis use disorder.
- New England also had relatively high cannabis use, at about 1 in 7 veterans, but its rate of probable cannabis use disorder was lower, at about 1 in 29.
- Higher rates were not limited to states where recreational cannabis was legal at that time. For example, Oklahoma had one of the highest rates of cannabis use, and North Carolina and Indiana were among the states with higher rates of probable cannabis use disorder.
- Veterans with probable cannabis use disorder tended to be younger than veterans who used cannabis without screening positive, and they were more likely to say the VA was their main source of health care.
These findings suggest that where you live may play a role in how common cannabis use and cannabis-related problems are among veterans. This was one study, and it cannot show why these regional differences happened or predict what is true for you personally. If you use cannabis or have concerns about how it affects your mood, sleep, memory, or daily life, your doctor or VA clinician is the best person to talk with.
Questions to Bring to Your Next Visit
- Based on where I live, should my doctor ask me more routinely about cannabis use?
- How can I tell the difference between using cannabis and having signs of cannabis use disorder?
- If I get most of my care through the VA, does this study suggest I should be screened for cannabis-related problems?
- The study found these issues can affect older veterans too. Should that change how we talk about cannabis in my care?
- If cannabis is helping some of my symptoms but may also be causing problems, how should I bring that up with my doctor?
