What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Harm reduction journal on April 24, 2026.

Mapping UK cannabis use patterns and risk perceptions

Cannabis products and risk perceptions among people who consume and do not consume cannabis in the UK: findings from the International Cannabis Policy Study.

Harm reduction journal • April 24, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This UK study reveals important insights into how cannabis consumers and non-consumers view cannabis products and their associated risks. Using data from 3,444 UK residents and 1,590 cannabis consumers, researchers found that cannabis use in Britain is far more diverse than simple prevalence statistics suggest. Half of cannabis users consume it purely recreationally (50.9%), while 12.1% use it exclusively for medical purposes, and 31.3% use it for both reasons. The most commonly consumed product is dried flower (68%), but the market is diverse, with significant numbers using edibles (38.9%), vape oils (30.5%), and hash (27.5%).

A striking finding concerns risk perception and routes of administration. Interestingly, both cannabis consumers and non-consumers perceived edibles as significantly lower risk when used daily compared to smoking or vaping cannabis daily—despite edibles carrying their own risks like delayed onset and overconsumption. People screening positive for higher-risk cannabis use patterns were 3.15 times more likely to consume non-flower products rather than sticking to dried flower alone, suggesting that consumption patterns may serve as a marker for problematic use.

These findings have important implications for harm reduction strategies in the UK. The diversity in reasons for use, product preferences, and risk perceptions means that one-size-fits-all messaging won't work. Policymakers and health communicators need to develop targeted harm reduction approaches that account for different routes of administration, user motivations, and the specific risks associated with each product type. Understanding why people choose certain products and how they perceive risks is essential for creating evidence-based public health guidance.

📄 Original Abstract

Population data on cannabis use-beyond prevalence and frequency of use-in the UK is lacking, yet needed to inform harm reduction messaging about cannabis. This study examined (a) recreational and medical cannabis use; (b) cannabis product use; (c) cannabis risk perceptions via three different routes of administration; (d) how product use and risk perceptions vary by reasons for use and higher risk use. Data were from UK respondents of the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study. National surveys included 3444 UK residents and 1590 people who consumed cannabis in the past year aged 16-65. Weighted logistic regression examined associations between product use, risk perceptions and reasons for use. 50.9% of people who reported consuming cannabis reported doing so for recreational reasons only, 12.1% for medical reasons only, and 31.3% for both reasons. Dried flower was the most consumed product both in the past year (68%). Edibles (38.9%), vape oils (30.5%) and hash (27.5%) were the next commonly consumed products. People who consumed cannabis in the past year that screened positive for higher risk use were more likely to report consuming non-flower products (AOR 3.15, 95% CI 2.17, 4.58) than only dried flower. There were a higher percentage of respondents-regardless of whether they consumed cannabis or not-that reported perceiving consuming edibles daily as low or very low risk than smoking or vaping cannabis daily. There is diversity in the UK cannabis market in terms of the reasons for use and the products consumed. Understanding product use beyond just 'cannabis' and risk perceptions across different routes of administration is important for informing harm reduction messaging and evaluating policies to minimise harm and maximise benefit from both recreational and medical cannabis.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Harm reduction journal
Published: April 24, 2026
PMID: 42032699
DOI: 10.1186/s12954-026-01456-4

Authors (4)

Elle Wadsworth Addiction and Mental Health Group, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. elw200@bath.ac.uk.
Lindsey A Hines Addiction and Mental Health Group, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
David Hammond School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
Tom P Freeman Addiction and Mental Health Group, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.