Weekly marijuana use and health-related measurements among adults in the United States: a longitudinal study

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the associations of weekly marijuana use with health-related measurements, including overall, physical, and mental health, and quality of life among adults, in a single research effort with panel analysis. The two latest Waves (2014–2015 and 2015–2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study (PATH) were used for this work. Weekly marijuana use was defined as marijuana use at least one time per week. Propensity score matching was applied at the previous wave to control selection bias and unobservable differences. Logistic regressions were estimated to investigate the associations of weekly marijuana use with health-related measurements. The analysis also considered the interaction of race and weekly marijuana use. The majority of participants reported good health outcomes. Based on the regression models without the interaction term, weekly marijuana use was only negatively associated with mental health and overall health, but was not associated with physical health and quality of life. With the interaction effect of race in the overall sample, weekly marijuana use was negatively associated all with health measurements. However, weekly marijuana use among non-white respondents was positively associated with health outcomes (all ps < 0.01), except mental health. Further policy and research directions are discussed.