Adolescents and young adults perceptions of risks and benefits differ by type of cannabis products.
Cannabis use patterns among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have changed recently, with increasing use of non-combustible cannabis products. Little is known about perceived risks or benefits related to non-combustible products (e.g., vaporized and edible cannabis). We examined whether AYAs perceived risks and benefits differ across four cannabis products, and by use status. We conducted a survey of 433 California AYAs (M Participants perceived combustible cannabis and blunts conferred the greatest risk for short-term (bad cough, trouble catching breath) and long-term (lung disease, oral and lung cancer, and heart attack) health outcomes and short-term social risks (friends upset, getting into trouble). These products were also perceived to have greater short-term and long-term benefits (i.e., reducing mental health problems) than vaporized and edible cannabis. The most common perceived risks were get into trouble and become addicted. The most common benefits were feel high or buzzed and feel less anxious. Ever cannabis users perceived less risks and greater benefits related to cannabis use than never users. AYAs differentially perceived risks and benefits related to use of four cannabis products. Public health and education efforts should address both perceived and real risks and benefits of specific cannabis products to prevent cannabis use among AYAs.