Classifying risky cannabis involvement in young adults using the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ)

Cannabis use in context: Relations among impulsive personality traits, context, and cannabis problems

INTRODUCTION

Impulsive personality traits are associated with cannabis problems. Person-Environment Transactions Theory suggests that highly impulsive individuals behave differently in certain contexts, however little research has focused on the context in which cannabis is used. Therefore, the current study tested whether impulsive traits moderated relations between cannabis use contexts (social vs. solitary) and cannabis problems.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, college student who use cannabis (N = 435; 60.7% female) reported on their impulsive traits (i.e., negative urgency, positive urgency, premeditation, perseverance, and sensation seeking), typical cannabis use context (i.e., alone, with friends), typical cannabis use frequency, and past 30-day cannabis problems.

RESULTS

Both solitary cannabis use and negative urgency were associated with more cannabis problems. There were significant interactions between negative urgency and solitary cannabis use and lack of perseverance and solitary cannabis use, such that high and mean (but not low) levels of both negative urgency and lack of perseverance were associated with more cannabis problems the more frequently an individual used cannabis alone. There was also a significant interaction between sensation seeking and social cannabis use, such that high and mean (but not low) levels of sensation seeking were associated with cannabis problems for individuals who used cannabis more socially.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that impulsivity may potentiate risk for cannabis problems depending on the context in which cannabis is used. Prevention efforts may benefit from targeting protective strategy use in certain cannabis use contexts based upon an individual's personality traits.

Exploring survey methods for measuring consumption quantities of cannabis flower and concentrate products

Background: Researchers need accurate measurements of cannabis consumption quantities to assess risks and benefits. Survey methods for measuring cannabis flower and concentrate quantities remain underdeveloped.Objective: We examined "grams" and "hits" units for measuring flower and concentrate quantities, and calculating milligrams of THC (mgTHC).Methods: Online survey participants (n = 2,381) reported preferred unit (hits or grams), past-week hits and grams for each product, and product %THC. Quantile regression compared mgTHC between unit-preference subgroups. Hits-based mgTHC calculations assumed a universal grams-per-hit ratio (GPHR). To examine individualized GPHRs, we tested a "two-item approach," which divided total grams by total hits, and "one-item approach," which divided 0.5 grams by responses to the question: "How many total hits would it take you to finish 1/2 g of your [product] by [administration method]?"Results: Participants were primarily daily consumers (77%), 50% female sex, mean age 39.0 (SD 16.4), 85% White, 49% employed full-time. Compared to those who preferred the hits unit, those who preferred the grams unit reported consuming more hits and grams, higher %THC products, and consequently, larger median mgTHC (flower-hits mgTHC: 32 vs. 91 (95%CI: 52-67); flower-grams mgTHC: 27 vs. 113 (95%CI: 73-95); concentrate-hits mgTHC: 29 vs. 59 (95%CI: 15-43); concentrate-grams mgTHC: 61 vs. 129 (95%CI: 43-94)). "Two-item" and "one-item" approach GPHRs were similar and frequently 50% larger or smaller than the universal GPHR.Conclusion: Allowing respondents to choose "hits" or "grams" when reporting cannabis quantities does not compromise mgTHC estimates. A low-burden, one-item approach yields individualized "hit sizes" that may improve mgTHC estimates.

Negative Consequences Related to Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use: Development and Psychometric Validation of the Prescription Stimulant Consequences Questionnaire

Nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NPS) is prevalent among undergraduates and associated with several negative consequences. However, no validated measures exist assessing NPS-related consequences. The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a Prescription Stimulant Consequences Questionnaire (PSCQ) for use among college students. A multisite sample of college students endorsing NPS ( N = 715, 68.4% female) completed the PSCQ and measures of NPS frequency and correlates of NPS via an online survey. Exploratory factor analysis supported a 27-item measure, with three factors (i.e., Compulsive Behavior, Risky Behaviors, and Physical and Mental Health) and a total score. Each PSCQ factor and total score demonstrated good internal consistency, and were significantly positively associated with all NPS frequency indicators, route of administration, alcohol-related problems, sleep problems, and depressive/anxiety symptoms. Findings demonstrate support for the psychometric validity and reliability of the newly developed PSCQ, which may demonstrate potential as a screening and outcome measure for intervention.