Sex Differences in the Association Between Cannabis Use Motives and Cannabis-Related Problems

The current study examined sex differences in cannabis use motives and whether sex moderated the association between cannabis use motives and cannabis-related problems. Seven hundred and forty-one adults reporting past-month cannabis use completed online questionnaires on cannabis use motives (Marijuana Motives Measure) and cannabis-related problems (Marijuana Problem Scale). Independent samples t-tests and hierarchical multiple linear regressions were performed. Analyses indicated significant sex differences in cannabis use motives, with male participants reporting greater motives for the coping, conformity, social, and expansion subscales relative to female participants. There were significant interactions between sex and enhancement, expansion, and coping motives in relation to cannabis use problems, suggesting male participants had a stronger relationship between these motives and problems than female participants. Sex also moderated the association between enhancement motives and cannabis use problems even when all cannabis use motives were included in the same model. Male participants had a stronger association between enhancement motives and cannabis-related problems, above and beyond all other motives. These findings highlight the importance of cannabis use motives as critical targets for interventions designed for both male and female adults, and that enhancement motives may be especially relevant for male adults who use cannabis with high levels of self-reported problematic use.