Notes from the Field: Cannabis Detection Among Overdose Deaths - United States, 2021-2025

In the United States, cannabis is the most commonly used drug that is illegal under federal law*; in 2024, an estimated 64.2 million persons aged ≥12 years used cannabis (1). Frequent cannabis use is associated with various adverse health effects, including memory impairment, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, chronic psychosis disorders, and cannabis use disorder (i.e., cannabis use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress) (2,3). Although cannabis alone rarely causes fatal overdoses (2), detection on postmortem toxicology testing among overdose deaths might help identify populations at high risk for other adverse health consequences (e.g., substance use disorders), including death, and help guide tailored prevention efforts. It is not known how often cannabis is detected among overdose deaths and whether detection varies by age.