With the legalization of recreational cannabis use in many states, researchers have speculated about the impact of cannabis use on young adults. Excessive cannabis use has been associated with attention, working memory, and verbal learning deficits as well as increased risk of mental health and substance use disorders. Understanding cannabis use motives can help us better understand cannabis consumption and/or related problems. Two motives that have been studied are approach (pursuit of a positive experience) and avoidance (escape of a negative experience). This study examines cannabis use motives, differences in cannabis use, and negative consequences related to cannabis use among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 1,213 college students from three universities with different legislation about recreational cannabis use. Students were asked to report cannabis and alcohol use over the past three months. Four cannabis use motives were assessed: enhancement, expansion, social, and coping. Participants were also asked to report social contexts of cannabis use, negative consequences over the past 3 months due to cannabis use, and negative affect over the past 2 weeks. Data was analyzed using negative binomial regressions to identify differences in cannabis use frequency and consequences.
Results of the data analysis showed six cannabis use motive profiles: [1] low motives (20.6%), [2] low to moderate enhance (18.8%), [3] high enhance (28.3%), [4] high enhance and social + moderate expand (11.2%), [5] high enhance and cope (14.5%), and [6] high motives (6.6%). Female students were more likely to be in profiles 1, 5, and 6 than male students. Male students were more likely to be in profiles 3 and 4 than female students. Students were more likely be present with profiles with high motives (profiles 3-6) if they used cannabis alone, with a family member, or with a stranger. Students who used cannabis with a roommate were more likely to be in profile 4 or 5. The association between cannabis use and negative consequences was greater for high motive profiles, with profile 6 having the highest cannabis use and negative consequences on average.
Takeaway: Understanding cannabis use motives can provide predictive value when assessing use frequency and consequences of cannabis use in college students.