Cannabis and Psychedelics Among U.S. Young Adults: Use, Messaging Exposure, Perceptions, and Legalization Support
Carla J. Berg, Cassidy R Loparco, Darcey M. Mccready, Laura C. Schubel, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Erin Kasson, Shriya Thakkar, Diane Ndisebuye, Y. Tony Yang
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health February 17, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph23020255 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3,227 |
| Population | US adults ages 18–34 |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Legalization Harm Mental health Young adult Poison control Public health Suicide prevention Injury prevention Social support Effects of cannabis Adverse effect |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Lower perceived addictiveness and harm, higher social acceptability, more adverse childhood experiences, more message exposure, and higher mental health symptoms were associated with cannabis and psychedelic use and greater legalization support among young adults. |
Abstract
This study assessed the correlates of cannabis and psychedelic use and legalization support among young adults in the United States (US). Using 2025 data among adults ages 18–34 (n = 3227), we assessed cannabis and psychedelic message exposure and perceptions, mental health symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]), and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in relation to past-6-month cannabis use (40.5%), past-year psychedelic use (11.9%), and legalization support. Relative to cannabis, psychedelics showed less legalization support, promotional and risk-message exposure, and social acceptability and higher perceived addictiveness and harm (p’s < 0.001). Factors associated with cannabis use and greater legalization support included: lower perceived addictiveness (aOR = 0.88, CI = 0.83–0.93; B = −0.04, SE = 0.01) and harm (aOR = 0.75, CI = 0.71–0.80; B = −0.16, SE = 0.01), higher social acceptability (aOR = 1.25, CI = 1.19–1.33; B = 0.19, SE = 0.01), and higher PHQ-4 (aOR = 1.04, CI = 1.01–1.07); more ACEs (aOR = 1.10, CI = 1.06–1.14) and more promotional (aOR = 1.08, CI = 1.01–1.17) and risk-message exposure (aOR = 1.27, CI = 1.17–1.39) were associated with use. Factors associated with psychedelic use and greater legalization support included: more promotional-message exposure (aOR = 1.61, CI = 1.36–1.91; B = 0.09, SE = 0.04), lower addictiveness (aOR = 0.87, CI = 0.78–0.97; B = −0.03, SE = 0.02) and harm (aOR = 0.74, CI = 0.66–0.82; B = −0.19, SE = 0.02), higher acceptability (aOR = 1.59, CI = 1.47–1.73; B = 0.15, SE = 0.01), and higher PHQ-4 (aOR = 1.06, CI = 1.02–1.11; B = 0.02, SE = 0.01); more risk-message exposure (aOR = 1.29, CI = 1.08–1.54) and ACEs (aOR = 1.15, CI = 1.09–1.21) were associated with use. Perceptions and mental health may influence cannabis and psychedelic use and legalization support, and message exposure may be particularly relevant in shaping psychedelic use and legalization support. Thus, information is crucial to ensure population understanding of the risks, benefits, and overall population impacts of cannabis and psychedelic use and legalization.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |