Elevated cannabis demand is associated with driving after cannabis use in a crowd-sourced sample of adults

Epidemiological and roadside studies suggest that driving after cannabis use (DACU) is prevalent in the United States, and rates have increased following legalization or decriminalization of cannabis in some U.S. states. Reinforcing value of addictive substances (as measured by behavioral economic demand tasks), is an emerging risk factor for driving under the influence. This study sought to expand upon the previously documented link between alcohol demand and driving after drinking by examining whether similar associations exist between cannabis demand and DACU. A large diverse sample of adults (N = 733) recruited via an online crowd-sourcing platform (Amazon Mechanical Turk) competed a validated marijuana purchase task assessing cannabis consumption across a range of prices and validated assessments of DACU, cannabis misuse, and demographics. In analyses of covariance controlling for age, sex, income, and level of cannabis misuse, individuals who endorsed DACU showed elevated cannabis demand across all demand indices examined (ps < .05). Logistic regression indicated that increased intensity of demand was uniquely associated with a greater likelihood of DACU (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61-2.02, ps < .03). Breakpoint, maximum expenditure, and price point corresponding to maximum expenditure uniquely predicted DACU in separate models (OR = 1.41-1.68, ps < .03) but not in a combined model (ORs < 1.36, ps > .47). These results provide initial evidence that elevated cannabis demand may be a distal risk factor for DACU, but future research is needed to clarify the specific relationship between cannabis demand and DACU. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).