Multiple Cannabis Forms Tied to Heavier Use

Adults who used cannabis in multiple forms were more likely to report daily consumption and cannabis use disorder than those who mainly smoked or used edibles, according to an analysis of U.S. national survey data.

Researchers analyzed 17,732 adults who reported past-month cannabis use in the 2022–2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Statistical clustering identified four groups: 48% mainly smoked, 21% smoked and vaped, 17% mainly used edibles, and 14% belonged to a polymodal group that used cannabis in nearly every form, including smoking, vaping, eating, and dabbing.

About half of the polymodal group used cannabis daily. Daily use was reported by 28% of those who mainly smoked, 31% of those who smoked and vaped, and about 13% of those who mainly used edibles.

Cannabis use disorder affected approximately 67% of polymodal users, compared with 36% of those who mainly smoked, 47% of smoking-and-vaping users, and 15% of the edibles group. The groups also differed demographically. Young adults were more prevalent in the smoking-and-vaping and polymodal groups, while women accounted for more than half of the edibles group.

The researchers cautioned that cannabis use was self-reported and may have been underreported. The study also could not establish that using multiple forms caused heavier use or cannabis use disorder. Study lead author Omar El-Shahawy, MD, PhD, MPH, said asking patients how they consume cannabis could help clinicians determine when a more comprehensive assessment may be warranted.

Sources: NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health. How people consume cannabis may signal risk for heavy use and addiction. News release. NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health; August 19, 2026. Accessed August 20, 2026.