Changes in Criteria for Identifying Cannabis Dependence: From DSM-IV to DSM-V

"Based on NSDUH estimates, rates of cannabis abuse and dependence remained relatively stable from 2002 to 2019, with the highest rates of abuse and dependence among young adults (aged 18–25) (Figure 3-27). For 2020, except for youth (aged 12–17), for whom the data suggest a slight decline in rates of cannabis abuse and dependence, the data are generally consistent with the longer-term trends for the other age groups. In 2021, the NSDUH introduced the diagnostic category of cannabis use disorder to better accord with DSM-V criteria for classifying substance use disorders. The frequency of the disorder is higher than previous estimates of cannabis use and dependence (online Appendix E). Given that cannabis use disorder has only been measured for two years using the new DSM-V criteria, it is challenging to determine how this has changed over the full 20-year time period. It follows a similar pattern as that of cannabis use and dependence, with the highest rates of the disorder among young adults (aged 18–25), males, non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives, people living in poverty, and people with some college education. In 2022, cannabis use disorder was less common in pregnant persons than in the general population but was increasing in both populations (Figure 3-28, online Appendix E)."