Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in adults with chronic medical conditions in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: People with chronic medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes associated with cannabis use, but research on the correlates of cannabis use and related problems in this population remains limited. This study sought to estimate the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among US adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk conditions, respiratory diseases, kidney and liver diseases, and HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Participants were 47,100 adults (aged 18+) from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Analyses included weighted prevalence estimates, bivariate analyses, and survey-weighted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Rates of past-year and past-month cannabis use were lower in participants with medical conditions compared to those without, except among individuals with respiratory diseases and HIV/AIDS. Past-year and past-month weighted prevalences were 16.7% and 11.75% for individuals with CVD risk conditions, 26.76% and 18.73% for those with respiratory diseases, 21.22% and 16.12% for those with kidney and liver diseases, and 51.58% and 37.33% for those with HIV/AIDS. CUD prevalence was lower among participants with medical conditions (5.78% vs 7.71%), except for those with respiratory diseases (9.10% vs 6.58%). Adults aged 35 or older were less likely to have CUD than those aged 18-25. Other common correlates of CUD included past-year illicit drug use, nicotine dependence, and past-year major depressive episode. Associations between annual income and CUD were inconsistent across medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need for screening and referral to evidence-based treatment for cannabis users with chronic medical conditions.