Cannabis use is on the rise in the United States, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men suffering from chronic health conditions. According to a recent study conducted by health behavior experts from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health and their collaborators, this demographic is increasingly turning to cannabis for relief from both physical and mental health symptoms. The findings suggest that this trend may be linked to the higher prevalence of chronic illnesses in these communities.
The research, led by Benjamin Montemayor, emphasizes that the study is the first to specifically examine cannabis use among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic illnesses. These men face higher rates of conditions such as arthritis, cancer, depression, and anxiety. Montemayor noted, “We believe our study is the first to focus exclusively on these associations among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions—groups that experience chronic disease at higher rates and may be increasingly turning to cannabis as an alternative to prescription medication.”
Socioeconomic stressors, limited access to healthcare, and cultural factors around masculinity can complicate the management of these chronic conditions. While many individuals resort to cannabis as a coping mechanism, experts caution that heavy use can lead to negative health outcomes, including memory issues, rapid heart rate, and cannabis use disorder. Montemayor remarked, “Cannabis use disorder not only makes quitting difficult but also can affect financial stability, emotional well-being, and physical health.”
Study Details and Key Findings
The findings are documented in the Journal of Community Health and are based on a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,982 men aged 40 and older who identified as either non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic and reported having at least one chronic condition. Participants were asked about their cannabis use over the past 30 days and whether they had been diagnosed with any of 19 chronic health conditions, such as chronic pain, depression, or anxiety.
Approximately 21% of the surveyed men reported using cannabis in the last month, with nearly half indicating that their use was recreational. The data revealed that non-Hispanic Black men were more likely to use cannabis than their Hispanic counterparts. The most frequently reported chronic conditions among the participants included chronic pain (37%), depression or anxiety (32%), arthritis (30%), and cancer (14%).
The analysis highlighted that men with a higher number of chronic conditions were more likely to engage in cannabis use. Current users tended to be younger, have lower educational backgrounds, and reported lower annual household incomes compared to those who did not use cannabis. Additionally, they experienced a diminished quality of life, marked by more days of poor physical and mental health, alongside elevated levels of physical pain and stress.
Montemayor indicated that this relationship could be bi-directional. “Individuals with declining health or more chronic conditions may be likely to use cannabis, but cannabis use itself could also contribute to worsening physical and mental health over time.”
Implications for Future Research and Policy
The study’s authors stress the need for increased awareness and harm reduction strategies in populations at risk. Montemayor pointed out that “important questions about the safety and effectiveness of cannabis continue to emerge as policies on cannabis and CBD legality remain in flux in some states.” The growing prevalence of chronic conditions and concerns about managing multiple prescriptions further complicate this issue.
The research team included faculty members from Texas A&M University, such as Ledric Sherman and Matthew Lee Smith, alongside doctoral student Sunghyun Chung, undergraduate student Arham Hassan, and collaborators Ashley Merianos from the University of Cincinnati, Caroline D. Bergeron from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Wura Jacobs from Indiana University.
As policymakers and health professionals navigate the complexities surrounding cannabis use, findings like those from this study could inform interventions aimed at reducing risks and improving health outcomes for minority men with chronic illnesses.