Prevalence of cannabidiol use and correlates in U.S. adults

Cannabidiol (CBD) use has been increasing for its putative therapeutic potential for various health conditions. Research using a nationally representative sample is needed to examine characteristics of CBD users.

Data came from the adult sample (N=47,100) of the 2022 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We fitted generalized linear models to examine the sociodemographic, health, other substance use, and cannabis risk perception as correlates of CBD-only use and CBD-cannabis co-use, compared to cannabis-only use.

In 2022, 20.6 % and 23.0 % of U.S. adults reported using CBD and cannabis, respectively, in the preceding 12 months, and 63 % of CBD users also used cannabis. CBD use was significantly higher among women (CBD-only vs. cannabis-only use: IRR=1.43, 95 % CI=1.31-1.57), but significantly lower among Black and Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic White individuals (CBD-only vs. cannabis-only use: IRR=0.71, 95 % CI=0.60-0.85 for Black individuals; IRR=0.79, 95 % CI=0.65-0.96 for Hispanic individuals). Older ages, higher SES, chronic medical conditions, mental illness, and high cannabis risk perception were also associated with higher likelihood of CBD-only use versus cannabis-only use. CBD-cannabis co-users were at most risk in terms of chronic illness, mental illness, cannabis use disorder, and other substance use problems.

The high prevalence of self-reported CBD use among those with physical and mental health problems warrants public health warnings about potential side effects and drug interactions. The high CBD-cannabis co-use rate also calls for more research on potential benefits and negative effects of the co-use.