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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of cannabis research

Changes in adult cannabis use patterns following retail availability in California (2017 to 2024).

  • Jamie Corroon1
  • Gretchen Bandoli2
  • Igor Grant3
  1. 1Department of Psychiatry, Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. [email protected].
  2. 2Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
  3. 3Department of Psychiatry, Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Abstract

Background

California was among the earliest U.S. states to legalize non-medical cannabis use by adults, with retail availability beginning January 1, 2018. This study describes changes in cannabis use prevalence, frequency, and methods among adults in California from 2017 through 2024, spanning the year before and seven years after the onset of retail availability.Methods

Data were drawn from 178,836 adults aged ≥18 years in the California Health Interview Survey (2017-2024). Survey-weighted logistic regression models with year as a categorical predictor were used to estimate year-specific prevalence, with Tukey adjustment for pairwise comparisons. All analyses accounted for survey weights, strata, and primary sampling units.Results

Past-year and past-month cannabis use were reported by 24.7% (95% CI: 24.3-25.0) and 16.4% (95% CI: 16.1-16.8) of respondents, respectively. Past-year use was 22.1% (95% CI: 20.9-23.2) in 2017 and 23.5% (95% CI: 22.8-24.2) in 2024 (p = 0.24). Past-month use rose from 14.5% (95% CI: 13.5-15.5) in 2017 to 17.7% (95% CI: 16.6-18.8) in 2018 (p < 0.01), then fell to 15.4% (95% CI: 14.8-16.0) in 2024, which did not differ significantly from 2017 (p = 0.65). Frequency of use was concentrated at the ends of the distribution (1-5 days/month: 40%; 20-30 days/month: 37.3%), with no statistically significant differences across years. Combustible methods (joints, pipes, or bongs) declined from 71.2% (95% CI: 69.2-73.2) to 58.1% (95% CI: 55.8-60.4) (p < 0.01), while edible use rose from 40.3% (95% CI: 37.4-43.2) to 53.6% (95% CI: 51.4-55.8) (p < 0.01). From 2017 to 2024, past-month use increased among adults aged 40-59 years from 10.7% (95% CI: 9.5-12.1) to 14.5% (95% CI: 13.5-15.6) and among adults ≥75 years from 2.4% (95% CI: 1.5-3.9) to 5.5% (95% CI: 4.6-6.4) (both p < 0.01).Conclusions

Prevalence of past-year and past-month cannabis use among adults in California remained largely stable across the eight-year study period spanning the onset of retail availability of non-medical cannabis products. Frequency of past-month use also remained stable. Methods of use shifted notably, however, with declines in combustible methods and corresponding increases in edible consumption. Past-month use increased among middle-aged and older adults, particularly those aged ≥75 years, while remaining unchanged among young adults (18-25 years).

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{corroon2026changes,
  title = {{Changes in adult cannabis use patterns following retail availability in California (2017 to 2024).}},
  author = {Jamie Corroon and Gretchen Bandoli and Igor Grant},
  journal = {Journal of cannabis research},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s42238-026-00475-z},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958590},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Changes in adult cannabis use patterns following retail availability in California (2017 to 2024).
AU  - Jamie Corroon
AU  - Gretchen Bandoli
AU  - Igor Grant
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/01
JO  - Journal of cannabis research
DO  - 10.1186/s42238-026-00475-z
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958590
AB  - Background  California was among the earliest U.S. states to legalize non-medical cannabis use by adults, with retail availability beginning January 1, 2018. This study describes changes in cannabis use prevalence, frequency, and methods among adults in California from 2017 through 2024, spanning the year before and seven years after the onset of retail availability.Methods  Data were drawn from 178,836 adults aged ≥18 years in the California Health Interview Survey (2017-2024). Survey-weighted logistic regression models with year as a categorical predictor were used to estimate year-specific prevalence, with Tukey adjustment for pairwise comparisons. All analyses accounted for survey weights, strata, and primary sampling units.Results  Past-year and past-month cannabis use were reported by 24.7% (95% CI: 24.3-25.0) and 16.4% (95% CI: 16.1-16.8) of respondents, respectively. Past-year use was 22.1% (95% CI: 20.9-23.2) in 2017 and 23.5% (95% CI: 22.8-24.2) in 2024 (p = 0.24). Past-month use rose from 14.5% (95% CI: 13.5-15.5) in 2017 to 17.7% (95% CI: 16.6-18.8) in 2018 (p < 0.01), then fell to 15.4% (95% CI: 14.8-16.0) in 2024, which did not differ significantly from 2017 (p = 0.65). Frequency of use was concentrated at the ends of the distribution (1-5 days/month: 40%; 20-30 days/month: 37.3%), with no statistically significant differences across years. Combustible methods (joints, pipes, or bongs) declined from 71.2% (95% CI: 69.2-73.2) to 58.1% (95% CI: 55.8-60.4) (p < 0.01), while edible use rose from 40.3% (95% CI: 37.4-43.2) to 53.6% (95% CI: 51.4-55.8) (p < 0.01). From 2017 to 2024, past-month use increased among adults aged 40-59 years from 10.7% (95% CI: 9.5-12.1) to 14.5% (95% CI: 13.5-15.6) and among adults ≥75 years from 2.4% (95% CI: 1.5-3.9) to 5.5% (95% CI: 4.6-6.4) (both p < 0.01).Conclusions  Prevalence of past-year and past-month cannabis use among adults in California remained largely stable across the eight-year study period spanning the onset of retail availability of non-medical cannabis products. Frequency of past-month use also remained stable. Methods of use shifted notably, however, with declines in combustible methods and corresponding increases in edible consumption. Past-month use increased among middle-aged and older adults, particularly those aged ≥75 years, while remaining unchanged among young adults (18-25 years).
SN  - 2522-5782
ER  -