What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Preventive medicine reports on July 17, 2026.

Marijuana preference linked to lower gun-victimization risk

Q: What did this research study find?

**More than 40% of participants reported firearm victimization**, showing that gun violence was common among adults receiving addiction treatment.

Firearm violence victimization in the United States: do drug preferences matter?

Preventive medicine reports • July 17, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This study examined whether a person’s primary drug of choice was associated with being injured or threatened with a gun. Researchers analyzed life-course surveys from 401 Medicaid-eligible adults receiving addiction treatment in the U.S. Midwest. The study found that firearm victimization was common in this population, with more than 40% of participants reporting that they had been victimized by a gun.

People who identified marijuana as their primary drug of choice had the lowest reported risk of firearm victimization compared with people identifying alcohol, cocaine, heroin or other opioids, or crystal meth as their primary drug. Differences in drug-use patterns, demographics, family history, housing insecurity, behavioral health history, and criminality helped explain some of the variation. However, this study shows an association—not that choosing marijuana prevents gun violence—and the abstract does not provide enough detail to determine which factors were most influential. The findings highlight firearm violence as a major public-health concern for people receiving addiction treatment and their families.

💡 Key Findings

More than 40% of participants reported firearm victimization, showing that gun violence was common among adults receiving addiction treatment.

High

80%

Participants identifying marijuana as their primary drug of choice had the lowest risk of reported gun victimization among the drug-preference groups examined.

Good

70%

Variation in firearm victimization was partly associated with differences in drug-use behaviors, housing insecurity, behavioral-health history, family history, demographics, and criminality.

Good

70%

Firearm victimization risk did not differ significantly by race or ethnicity in this study.

Good

70%

📄 Original Abstract

This study examined whether primary drug of choice is associated with risk of being injured or threatened by a gun. The sample included 401 Medicaid-eligible adults receiving addiction treatment services in the Midwest United States who completed life-course history surveys between 2021 and 2023 as part of the Removing Barriers to Recovery randomized controlled trial. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Bivariate analyses showed marginally and statistically significant differences in firearm victimization risk between individuals identifying alcohol as their primary drug of choice and those identifying cocaine, heroin/opioids, or crystal meth. Individuals identifying marijuana as their primary drug of choice had the lowest risk of gun victimization. Differences in drug use behaviors, demographics, family history, housing insecurity, behavioral health history, and criminality helped explain variation in firearm victimization across substances. Firearm victimization was common among people receiving addiction treatment, though less frequent among those preferring marijuana. Risk did not differ significantly by race or ethnicity. More than 40% of participants reported gun victimization, underscoring firearm violence as a major public health concern for this population and by association, their families.