Exploring the Association Between Psychological Distress and Cannabis Edible Use Among U.S. Adults: A Short Review

Zeeshan Ul Haq; Md Rakibul Hasan

doi:10.38106/LMRJ.2025.7.4-07

Authors

Zeeshan Ul Haq Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Dr. Md Rakibul Hasan (M.D, MPH) Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, England

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38106/LMRJ.2025.7.4-07

Keywords:

Psychological distress, cannabis edibles, substance use, mental health

Abstract

Cannabis edibles have become increasingly popular in the United States (U.S), however, limited research has explored their relationship with mental health. This study examined whether adults experiencing past-month psychological distress were more likely to use cannabis edibles compared with those without distress. Data were drawn from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Adults aged ? 18 years were included. Past-month cannabis edible use (IRMJMONEAT) was the dependent variable, and past-month psychological distress (SPDPSTMON) was the primary predictor variable. Weighted prevalence estimates and survey-weighted logistic regression models were applied, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and behavioral factors. The Weighted prevalence of edible use was 5.6% (95% CI 5.2–5.9) among adults without distress and 13.5% (95% CI 12–15) among those with distress. In the adjusted regression models, psychological distress was significantly associated with edible use (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.21–1.71, p < 0.001). In conclusion the psychological distress was independently associated with hight cannabis edible use among U.S. adults. These findings underscore the importance of integrating mental-health screening and harm-reduction strategies into cannabis prevention and treatment frameworks.

Author Biographies

Zeeshan Ul Haq, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

Zeeshan Ul Haq, MSc in Business Analytics (University of Louisville), CFA Level 1, BSc in Applied Accounting (Oxford Brookes University, UK), ACCA (UK).
Mr. Ul Haq is a finance professional and data analyst based in the United States, specializing in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and data-driven decision-making. He has extensive experience in advanced statistical modeling, data visualization, and business intelligence using Power BI, Tableau, Excel, R, and Python. Professionally, he currently serves as Senior Manager, Business Unit Administration in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, leading financial planning, budgeting, and research grant management. Previously, he served as Research Grants Specialist in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Louisville and held senior financial analyst roles in banking institutions, including BankIslami and Habib Bank Limited.
Mr. Ul Haq is the lead author of a manuscript on marijuana use, psychological distress, and suicide risk among U.S. adolescents, and co-author on multiple peer-reviewed publications in public health, medical, and behavioral research. His research contributions focus on statistical modeling, data visualization, and analysis to generate actionable insights and inform policy and practice.

Dr. Md Rakibul Hasan (M.D, MPH), Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, England

Dr. Md Rakibul Hasan; MD (Medicine, BD), MPH (Cambridge, UK), Diploma in Clinical Neuroscience
(UK), PGT in Healthcare (NHS, London), CCEM (Glasgow, Scotland), MCGP (BD).
Dr. Hasan is a medical professional and public health researcher based in the United States. He
earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, followed by
an MPH in Public Health and Epidemiology in England, a Diploma in Clinical
Neuroscience from the European Neuroscience Academy, and specialized Emergency
Medicine training at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He pursued postgraduate studies
in Global Health at the University of Ghent, Belgium, and completed extensive clinical and
healthcare training across the UK, including NHS London. Professionally, he has practiced
medicine in Dhaka, served as a senior healthcare professional at Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust, and worked as a teaching assistant at Cambridge Regional College,
England.
Currently Dr. Hasan is pursuing his PhD in public health at the University of Louisville, United
States. He also serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the GI Clinical Trials Unit, School of
Medicine, and as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Health Promotion and
Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville. His research focuses on infectious diseases
(HIV, STIs, respiratory infections), behavioral health, cancer, and biomedical research, with
collaborations across the USA, UK, Europe, South Asia, and other low-income countries. He has
delivered scholarly presentations at WHO conferences, high-profile public health forums across
the UK and USA, and workshops at the University of Cambridge School of Medicine. Dr. Hasan also
serves as an assistant editor for the 'Journal of Current and Advanced Medical Research,' the official
peer-reviewed medical journal of Bangladesh.