Association of Marijuana Use With Psychological Distress Among Adults in United States

Abstract

Purpose

Determine the association of marijuana use with serious psychological distress (SPD) among adults aged 18 years or older using a large, nationally representative sample of US households.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2021.

Subjects

47,247 respondents representing 253.7 million adults (age>18 years) in the US.

Measures

Marijuana use was categorized as (1) None, (2) within the past month, (3) within 1 year, and (4) more than a year ago from the interview time. SPD was measured with the Kessler-6 distress scale.

Analysis

Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses accounting for complex survey designs were conducted.

Results

Among adults in the US, 50.9% never used marijuana, 13.7%, 6.0%, and 29.4% reported marijuana use in the past month, in the past year, and more than a year ago, respectively. Individuals using marijuana within the past month, within a year, and more than a year ago reported higher past month SPD (15.3%, 13.5%, and 6.8%, respectively) than never-users (4.9%). Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that marijuana use in the past month, past year (1-12 months), and over a year ago is associated with higher SPD (AOR [95% CI] = 2.06 [1.72, 2.45]; 1.82 [1.50, 2.21]; 1.53 [1.26, 1.87], respectively) compared to no marijuana use.

Conclusion

Adults who used marijuana more recently were more likely to report SPD.