A new federal report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that cannabis users in the United States are increasingly turning to edibles, vaping, and dabbing, marking a notable shift in how marijuana is consumed across the country.
The study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, examined data collected from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The survey results, which included responses from over 20,000 adults across 21 states and two territories, indicate that while smoking cannabis remains the most common method, alternative consumption methods are rapidly gaining ground.
According to the data, more than half of respondents who reported using cannabis in the past month said they smoked it. However, 25 percent said they consumed edibles, 13 percent used vapes, and 6 percent reported dabbing—an inhalation method that typically involves vaporizing concentrated cannabis extracts.
The CDC report emphasized that these methods aren’t exclusive. Many users reported combining multiple forms of consumption. Researchers noted that the rise of edibles and concentrates, like vape oils and dabs, reflects the growing availability of legal cannabis products as more states expand adult-use and medical marijuana markets.
Health experts say this shift in consumption patterns has implications for public education and safety. Edibles, for example, can take longer to produce effects, leading some users—especially those with less experience—to consume more than intended. Dabbing and vaping, on the other hand, typically deliver higher doses of THC, the compound responsible for cannabis’s psychoactive effects, and may pose greater risks for individuals with underlying health conditions.
The CDC encouraged healthcare providers and policymakers to consider these trends when developing cannabis-related education, especially in areas where legalization is new or expanding. Understanding how and why people use cannabis is key to shaping responsible public health strategies that minimize harm and ensure safe access.
The findings come at a time when the federal government is reassessing cannabis policy more broadly. With the Department of Health and Human Services recommending that marijuana be reclassified to a lower federal drug schedule, national conversations around cannabis regulation, research, and education are gaining momentum.
As cannabis laws continue to evolve across the U.S., the way people consume marijuana is changing as well. The growing preference for edibles, vaping, and dabbing reflects a more diverse market and highlights the need for updated health guidelines to keep pace with consumer behavior.
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