Cannabis consumption patterns, adverse events, and cannabis risk beliefs: A latent profile analysis in WA State

Cannabis legalization has increased the diversity of products available to people wishing to purchase cannabis. Understanding profiles of people who use cannabis, including use of different product types and how these relate to adverse events and risk beliefs may aid public health professionals, clinicians, and people who use cannabis who are seeking to reduce the risk of cannabis use. This cross-sectional study used data from Washington State residents between 16 and 65 years old collected between 2019 and 2022 as part of the International Cannabis Policy Study to characterize of patterns of use through Latent Profile Analysis. The study describes six cluster groups made up of those who reported past year cannabis use (N = 3298) that differed by frequency of use of cannabis product types, ranging from the lowest use group that averaged weekly use of primarily flower to a group characterized by daily use of concentrates. Contrasting with clinical studies that indicate that adverse events increase with THC levels and frequency of use, this group reported significantly fewer adverse events than the group with the next most frequent use who reported a greater variety of product types. These findings may be influenced by transitions between groups, which are not captured in this cross-sectional study. The four groups with most frequent use and greatest variety of product types, were all significantly more likely to self-identify as "addicted" than the lowest use, primarily flower, group. There were few differences in risk beliefs between groups. Efforts to reduce cannabis risk should focus on reducing frequency of use and possibly limiting polymodal cannabis use.