This paper examines if the inverse relationship between cigarette smoking and educational attainment applies to cannabis use. The 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was analyzed to examine current cigarette smoking and cannabis use prevalence. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between cigarette smoking/cannabis use and educational attainment among adults ages 26+ (N=20,557), adjusting for age, sex and race/ethnicity.

Findings: In 2023, among California adults 26+, current cannabis use prevalence was more than double (13.5%) that of current cigarette use prevalence (6.1%). Compared to those who did not graduate high school (HS), the odds of being a current cannabis user were 2.05x as high for those who completed HS, 2.57x as high for those with some college education, and 2.17x that for those who completed college. Compared to the odds of those who did not graduate HS, the odds of being a current cigarette smoker were 0.31x as high for those who completed college. Authors conclude that adults with higher education levels were more likely to be cannabis users than those with less education, inverse to the relationship between cigarette smoking and education. Efforts to prevent and reduce cannabis use should have additional focus on those who have completed high school and college.