Differentiating Medicinal and Recreational Cannabis Users via Cannabis Use Motives

Authors

  • Lana Vedelago Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University & St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Jane Metrik Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University, and Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
  • Michael Amlung Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research and Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University & St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Abstract

People who use cannabis for medicinal vs. recreational purposes exhibit several important differences in terms of cannabis use quantity and frequency, cannabis-related problems, and other critical factors. However, there is currently little research on different motivations for use in these groups. The present study identifies specific cannabis use motives (using the Comprehensive Marijuana Motives Questionnaire) that distinguish medicinal (n = 283) from recreational (n = 462) users in a large, geographically-diverse sample recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Logistic regression analyses indicated that sleep, social anxiety, and coping motives were associated with greater odds of medicinal use. Conversely, motives related to boredom, enjoyment, simultaneous alcohol use, and celebration were associated with greater odds of recreational use. Specific cannabis use motives may be relevant when screening for cannabis use problems and providing targeted interventions for problem-level cannabis use.

Additional Files

Published

2020-01-31

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020): Cannabis

Section

Original Report