Cannabis Use in a Community-Based Sample of Adults Diagnosed With ADHD: Prevalence, Impact on Symptoms, and Stimulant Side Effects.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2026

Abstract

AIM: Assess prevalence and correlates of cannabis use in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and explore its impact on comorbidities, symptoms, and side effects of prescription stimulants.

METHODS: An anonymous online survey (April to July 2023) was emailed to 9,274 potential adult participants with a documented ADHD diagnosis, based on ICD-10 codes in the electronic medical record, which was secondarily verified by self-report. A total of 900 participants completed the survey. The 46-item survey covered demographics, medical history, prescription stimulant use, cannabis use, and its impact on ADHD symptoms and prescribed stimulant side effects, prescription stimulant misuse, cannabis use disorder, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS: In this large sample of adults diagnosed with ADHD, 75% reported ever using cannabis, with 41% reporting prior 30-day use. Groups of cannabis users were categorized into three groups; (1) no recent use (including never;

CONCLUSION: In this sample of adults diagnosed with ADHD, cannabis use was prevalent, with daily users showing higher rates of cannabis use disorder and co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses compared to non-daily users, highlighting the need for clinicians to screen for cannabis use disorder and psychiatric comorbidities. Cannabis users reported mixed effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms and anxiety. Further research is warranted to understand the complex relationship between cannabis use, ADHD symptoms, and mental health.

Volume

30

Issue

3

First Page

407

Last Page

422

ISSN

1557-1246

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

40874736

Department(s)

Hematology-Medical Oncology Division

Document Type

Article

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