Indicators of Intergenerational Transmission of Cannabis Use Among US Young Adults

Two factors that may influence young adults' cannabis use include having cannabis-using parents (CUP) and becoming parents themselves. These factors may differentially impact certain subgroups that are more likely to use cannabis (e.g., males, those with mental health conditions or living in states with legal nonmedical cannabis). This study examined intergenerational transmission of cannabis use across US young adult subgroups.

We analyzed 2023 survey data among 4031 young adults (M_age = 26.29; 48.8% past-month cannabis use by design). Multivariable logistic regression examined whether participants had CUP and children in relation to past-month cannabis use, and the moderating effects of having CUP and children on other use-related factors, including sociodemographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, relationship status), psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] diagnoses; adverse childhood events [ACEs]), and state nonmedical cannabis legalization.

Having CUP (aOR = 2.90, 95% CI = 2.42, 3.47) and children (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.67) were associated with cannabis use; however, a significant interaction indicated that having children was associated with use only among those without CUP. Living in legalized states and more ACEs were also related to cannabis use only in those without CUP. For participants with children (but not those without), having association between being male and use was stronger in those with (vs without) children. Other correlates included being older, sexual minority, Hispanic, Black, unmarried, and diagnosed with depression or ADHD.

Given intergenerational influences on cannabis use and related disparities, interventions targeting parental use and related communication with children are needed.