What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction, THC.

Where was this research published?

Published in The International journal on drug policy on July 10, 2026.

Vaping and edibles linked to more severe cannabis use disorder

Q: What did this research study find?

Compared with exclusive smokers, *vaping* was associated with **higher odds of at least mild Cannabis Use Disorder** and with higher odds across all measured severity levels.

Non-smoked cannabis consumption formats and Cannabis Use Disorder severity in an illicit setting: Evidence from Chile, 2020-2024.

The International journal on drug policy • July 10, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

Researchers analyzed 3,543 people in Chile who had used cannabis in the previous year, comparing those who exclusively smoked it with people who used edibles, vaporization, or both. The data came from national surveys conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Users of all three non-smoked formats showed higher odds of having at least mild Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) than exclusive smokers.

The association was strongest and most consistent among people who vaped: they had higher odds across all measured levels of CUD severity. Edible users and people who used both edibles and vaporizers also showed elevated odds of at least mild CUD, although the study does not establish that these formats directly cause more severe problems. The authors suggest that consumption patterns and overall THC exposure may help explain the findings, while emphasizing that legal and social context could also influence the results. For users, the study highlights the importance of monitoring frequency, amount, and signs of loss of control regardless of how cannabis is consumed.

💡 Key Findings

Compared with exclusive smokers, vaping was associated with higher odds of at least mild Cannabis Use Disorder and with higher odds across all measured severity levels.

Good

75%

People who used edibles had higher odds of at least mild Cannabis Use Disorder than exclusive smokers.

Good

70%

People who used both vaporization and edibles had higher odds of at least mild Cannabis Use Disorder than exclusive smokers.

Good

70%

The study found an association—not proof of causation—and suggests that consumption patterns, total THC exposure, and contextual factors may help explain the results.

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has become an increasing public health burden, particularly in Chile. Non-smoked cannabis formats and products have been independently associated with CUD but remain understudied in the region. This study compares CUD severity among individuals aged 12 to 65 in Chile who consume cannabis via edibles, vaporization or both versus those who exclusively smoke it. We obtained secondary data from three waves of the Chilean National Survey on Drugs in the General Population (ENPG), a three-stage stratified probabilistic sampling design study conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Our pooled cross-sectional sample included individuals (n = 3543) who reported cannabis use in vaped, edible, both vaped and edible or exclusively smoked format in the past 12 months. We used a partial proportional odds model to estimate the association between CUD severity and consumption formats. Cannabis vaping group showed higher odds of presenting at least mild CUD (OR = 6.21 [95% CI: 3.75-10.3]), as did the edible group (OR = 1.73 [95% CI: 1.08-2.78]) and both group (OR = 5.92 [95% CI: 2.72-12.87]), compared to exclusive smokers. However, only the vaped group demonstrated higher odds for all severity levels. Compared with exclusive smokers, users of vaporizers and/or edibles showed a stronger association with CUD. This association may be explained by consumption patterns and total THC exposure. Further research is needed to characterize the average THC exposure by consumption format, acknowledging contextual confounders such as the legal framework.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: The International journal on drug policy
Published: July 10, 2026
PMID: 42431006
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105426

Authors (4)

Francisca Tapia-Alarcón Fundación Instituto Profesional Duoc UC, Santiago, Chile; Millenium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policy (nDP), Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: fr.tapia.alarcon@gmail.com.
José Ruiz-Tagle Maturana Fundación Instituto Profesional Duoc UC, Santiago, Chile; Millenium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policy (nDP), Santiago, Chile.
Gabriel González-Medina Phd in Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Constanza Silva-Gallardo Millenium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policy (nDP), Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Psicología y Humanidades, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile.