Notes from the Field: Cannabis Detection Among Overdose Deaths - United States, 2021-2025.

Tanz L.; Quader Z.; Mattson C.; Vivolo-Kantor A. · MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report · 2026

**Background & Methods** This is a descriptive review examining cannabis detection patterns among overdose deaths in the United States from 2021-2025. The study analyzes postmortem toxicology testing data to determine prevalence of cannabis detection among fatal overdoses and assess whether detection varies by age groups. **Key Findings** • Cannabis is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with an estimated 64.2 million persons aged ≥12 years using cannabis in 2024. • While cannabis alone rarely causes fatal overdoses, detection on postmortem toxicology testing among overdose deaths may identify populations at elevated risk for other serious health consequences, including substance use disorders and mortality. • Detection of cannabis among overdose deaths and variation by age demographics remains incompletely characterized, highlighting a gap in understanding polysubstance use patterns in fatal overdoses. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Frequent cannabis use is associated with multiple adverse health effects, including memory impairment, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, chronic psychosis disorders, and cannabis use disorder (defined as cannabis use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress). While cannabis alone is rarely fatal, its presence in overdose deaths may indicate concurrent use with more lethal substances or signal underlying substance use disorders requiring clinical attention. **Evidence Quality** This study is a descriptive review with significant limitations. As a field notes summary, it does not present comprehensive epidemiological data or detailed statistical analyses. The study identifies an important research gap regarding cannabis detection in overdose deaths but does not provide the prevalence data or age-stratified findings it proposes to investigate. The evidence quality is low-to-moderate, primarily serving to highlight the need for systematic data collection and analysis on cannabis co-detection in fatal overdoses. Generalizability may be limited by variation in toxicology testing practices and reporting standards across jurisdictions. The study emphasizes that detection patterns could inform tailored prevention efforts but provides limited definitive conclusions, underscoring the preliminary nature of these observational field notes.

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