Profiles of cannabis use and expense-related factors among US young adults

Yuxian Cui; Darcey M McCready; Katelyn F Romm; Cassidy R LoParco; Morgan Speer; Rishika Chakraborty; Jessica Williams; Patricia A Cavazos-Rehg; Yan Wang; Y Tony Yang; Carla J Berg

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108428

Profiles of cannabis use and expense-related factors among US young adults

Addict Behav. 2025 Jul 8:170:108428. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108428. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
² TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
³ Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
⁵ Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
⁶ Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
⁷ Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: carlaberg@gwu.edu.

PMID: 40633149
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108428

Abstract

Objectives: Given the changing cannabis policy and retail environment, this study examined profiles of young adults with differing cannabis cost-related behaviors and perceptions (e.g., products used, impact of cost) and their associations with use-related outcomes.

Methods: Using 2024 survey data among 1,359 US young adults reporting past-month cannabis use (M_age = 26.95, 61.4 % female, 20.7 % Hispanic, 17.9 % Black, 7.7 % Asian), latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted; indicators were perceived cost of cheapest product ($1-10; >$10), impact of cost on use (low; moderate; high), monthly cannabis expenditures ($0-25, $26-100, >$100), past-month use days (1-5; 6-20; ≥21), and product type (bud/herb; edibles; oils/vape; concentrates/other). Multivariable analysis assessed sociodemographics in relation to class (multinomial logistic regression), then class in relation to use-related outcomes (next-year use intentions, problematic use; linear regression).

Results: LCA identified 4 classes: 1) 'Price-insensitive, low-spend, low-level bud/edible use' (36.1 %); 2) 'Semi-price-sensitive, high-spend, high-level bud/oil/concentrate use' (31.9 %); 3) 'Semi-price-sensitive, moderate-spend, mid-level oil/other product use' (24.1 %); and 4) 'Price-sensitive, high-spend, mid-level mixed product use' (7.9 %). Compared to Class 1 (referent): Class 2 was older, more likely < bachelor's (vs. ≥ bachelor's) degree educated, cohabitating (vs. single/other), and parents, but less likely Asian (vs. White); Class 3 was more likely Black and < bachelor's degree educated, but less likely with other (vs. full-time) employment; and Class 4 was more likely Black and food insecure. In multivariable regression, relative to Class 1, other classes had higher use intentions and more problematic use.

Conclusions: Regulatory and educational efforts must address young adults with higher risk indicators and potentially related disparities.

Keywords: Cannabis; Marijuana; Problematic use; Use intentions; Young adults.