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Mothers and fathers who use medical cannabis: A comparison of sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis use, and health
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Mothers and fathers who use medical cannabis: A comparison of sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis use, and health

Janna Ataiants, Ekaterina V. Fedorova, Ojaswini D. Parab, Maddy Finkelstein, Elizabeth S. Valdez, Olivia Cordingley and Stephen E. Lankenau
Drug and alcohol dependence reports, v 17, 100390
Dec 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100390
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100390View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open

Abstract

Mothers and fathers Gender differences Medical cannabis patients Medical cannabis use
Background While increasing numbers of parents use medical cannabis, little is known about their cannabis use or health, despite potential implications for child well-being. Recognizing that parenting is shaped by gendered roles and norms, this study compared mothers and fathers who use cannabis as medical cannabis patients. Methods Parents living with children (N = 372; 62.9 % mothers, 37.1 % fathers) were identified from an ongoing study of Pennsylvania-based medical cannabis patients. Bivariate and multivariable analyses assessed sociodemographic, cannabis use, and health characteristics by parent’s sex. Results Compared to fathers, mothers were less likely to be married, have a higher income, report arrest history, veteran status, and lifetime opioid misuse, and more likely to report PTSD (all p < 0.05). Problematic cannabis use did not significantly differ by parent’s sex (mothers: 15.0 %; fathers: 20.3 %). However, mothers had lower odds of using concentrates (AOR: 0.56, 95 % CI: 0.33–0.96) and higher odds of using capsules (AOR: 1.87, 95 % CI: 1.09–3.19), tinctures (AOR: 1.71, 95 % CI: 1.01–2.87), using at specific times (AOR: 1.85, 95 % CI: 1.08–3.16), and using alone (AOR: 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.02–3.14). Mothers also had higher odds of frequent sleep problems (AOR: 1.96, 95 % CI: 1.18–3.25) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (AOR: 1.91, 95 % CI: 1.14–3.20). Discussion Mothers showed greater socioeconomic vulnerability, elevated anxiety and sleep disturbances, and more discreet cannabis use, while fathers had more flexible use patterns and fewer anxiety symptoms, despite greater lifetime adversity. These differences highlight the need for gender-responsive programs to support parents who use medical cannabis.

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Web of Science research areas
Psychiatry
Substance Abuse
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