Cannabis Use Problems Moderate Daily Associations between Cannabis Consequences and Subsequent Use

Social learning theory posits that experiencing negative substance use consequences contributes to reductions in subsequent use. However, relatively few studies have examined prospective effects of substance use consequences on subsequent use; those that have focus exclusively on alcohol and have produced mixed results. The current study aimed to advance our understanding of daily effects of consequences on subsequent use by examining these associations for cannabis, determining if consequences accumulate over time and how long they continue to influence use, and identifying moderators (i.e., cannabis use problems; motives for use) of these associations.

We used EMA data (2 observations per day for 14 days) from 593 young adult females who regularly used cannabis. The sample included a majority sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals (77.6%) and a comparison group of heterosexual cisgender women (22.4%).

Recent cannabis consequences were associated with a decreased likelihood of subsequent use among individuals with fewer cannabis use (CU) problems. Coping motives also moderated associations between consequences and subsequent CU, with consequences only associated with lighter next-day use when coping motives were not endorsed on the next day. Findings also suggest that consequences accumulate across days and cumulative consequences over the past five days continue to influence CU.

These findings indicate that individuals with severe CU problems may not respond with behavioral change to consequences, while individuals with fewer CU problems reduce use following consequences. This may result from differences in perceptions of the aversiveness of consequences, which should be examined by future research.