Prevalence of cannabis use, disorder, and medical card possession in U.S. military veterans: Results from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Abstract

More than half of U.S. states legalized medical or recreational sale and possession of cannabis since the prevalence of cannabis use was last estimated among U.S. military veterans in 2014. To provide updated estimates of the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD), and medical cannabis card possession in this population, data were analyzed from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey of 4,069 veterans ages 22–99 years who reported on their past-6-month cannabis use, CUD symptoms, and possession of a medical cannabis card. An estimated 11.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 10.9–12.9%)] of veterans reported using cannabis, 2.7% (95% CI = 2.3–3.3%) screened positive for CUD, and 1.5% (95% CI = 1.2–2.0%) reported possessing a medical card. Prevalence of cannabis use, CUD, and card possession were higher among younger veterans (use: 20.2%, CUD: 5.6%, card: 2.1%) and those with psychiatric conditions (use: 24.0%-30.0%, CUD: 8.9%-13.0%, card: 3.1%-4.0%). Younger age, alcohol use disorder, and childhood adversity explained a large proportion of variance in cannabis use and CUD, and depression was independently associated with CUD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76). Physical disability (OR = 3.59), combat veteran status (OR = 2.84), and non-Hispanic black (OR = 0.23) relative to white race/ethnicity most strongly predicted using cannabis with a medical card. The estimated prevalence of cannabis use in veterans—nearly 12%—is higher than the most recently reported estimate (9% in 2014). Veteran cannabis use may be increasing and is particularly prevalent among veterans with psychiatric conditions.