Keywords

cannabis, marijuana, modality, Black, African American, modalities

Subject Categories

African Studies | Public Health | Sociology

Abstract

In the United States, cannabis has become one of the most widely used controlled substances due to its increase in social acceptance, the growing number of states legalizing it for medical and non-medical purposes, and the expansion of consumption methods.  However, little is known about the modes of cannabis use chosen by Black American adults.  This population is of importance due to existing research suggesting their increased risk of developing cannabis use disorder compared to their White counterparts and their underrepresentation in existing literature.  The goal of this study is to examine cannabis use among Black adults in the U.S., including how these modalities vary across several sociodemographic factors. The study uses secondary data from the 2023-2024 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, and analyzes sociodemographic characteristics, health and well-being, and substance use behaviors to explore associations with types of cannabis used and modalities.  The study identified several key findings: younger adults and individuals who experience psychological distress are more likely to utilize a variety of cannabis modalities; those with higher levels of education are more likely to use cannabidiol (CBD) and modalities that are less harmful; respondents who were never married were more likely to use all modalities; and there was a negative relationship was between levels of religiosity and cannabis use.  Moreover, polysubstance use involving cannabis was most common for respondents who used tobacco, prescription drugs, heavy amounts of alcohol, and other drugs such as heroin and hallucinogens.  The study’s limitations, policy implications, and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Jason Ford

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology

Format

PDF

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

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