Cannabis Outcome Expectancies, Cannabis Use Motives, and Cannabis Use among a Small Sample of Frequent Using Adults

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the factors influencing use among frequent cannabis users, defined here as using at least three times per week. Outcome expectancies and motives for cannabis use have been independently examined in relation to cannabis use, but not among frequent users. Further, the associations among distinct expectancies and motives for cannabis use have yet to be explored. The current study examined whether expectancies influence cannabis use through cannabis use motives among frequent users. Additionally, we examined more nuanced relationships among three cannabis outcome expectancies (relaxation/tension reduction, social, perceptual/cognitive) and four motives (enhancement, social, coping, expansion). Method: Bayesian path analysis with informative priors was used to examine associations among expectancies, motives, and outcomes in a sample of 54 (63% male) young adult frequent users (i.e., at least three times per week; 65% used daily). Participants were recruited from the community and completed self-report questionnaires assessing cannabis use, expectancies, and motives. Results: Findings support hypotheses that cannabis use expectancies were associated with unique motives for frequent cannabis users. Perceptual/cognitive enhancement expectancies were the only expectancy to consistently relate to all four cannabis use motives. Social expectancies were related to enhancement, social, and expansion motives for use, and relaxation/tension reduction expectancies were associated with coping motives. Conclusions: Results extend previous work examining direct and indirect effects of expectancies and motives among frequent using young adults. Findings support the potential clinical utility of exploring the perceived functional benefits of cannabis use for individual frequent users as well as potential alternatives that might serve similar functions with fewer risks and consequences.

Expectations of How Acute Cannabis Use Affects Gambling Experiences and Behaviors

“…Given the reported co-occurrence of gambling and cannabis consumption, this study aimed to examine individuals' expectations of the effect of cannabis consumption on gambling. Cannabis expectancy theory (Anthenien et al, 2021;Kristjansson et al, 2012;Schafer & Brown, 1991) indicates that peoples' experience with cannabis will inform what outcomes they expect will follow consumption. In this sample of participants who almost all screened positive for problem gambling, who on average gambled four days per week, "positive" and "negative" dimensions underlie individuals' reported cannabis expectancies.…”

“…Positive expectations include relaxation and tension reduction, perceptual and cognitive enhancement, and social and sexual facilitation. Negative expectations include cognitive and behavioral impairment, global negative effects, and craving and physical effects (Anthenien et al, 2021;Kristjansson et al, 2012) Both positive and negative expectations have implications for gambling behaviors, experiences, and performances.…”

“…Cannabis outcome expectancies classified six areas of cannabis use expectancies: cognitive and behavioral impairment, relaxation and tension reduction, social and sexual facilitation, perceptual and cognitive enhancement, global negative effects, and craving and physical effects (Schafer & Brown, 1991). Broadly, cannabis expectations may be "positive" (relaxation and tension reduction, perceptual and cognitive enhancement, social and sexual facilitation) or "negative" (cognitive and behavioral impairment, global negative effects, craving and physical effects; Anthenien et al, 2021;Kristjansson et al, 2012). Differences in cannabis expectancies have been found consistently between individuals who do and do not consume this drug.…”

“…In contrast, people who use cannabis are more likely to endorse positive expectancies for cannabis use than those who do not use cannabis. Among people who consume cannabis at least three times a week, expectancies are a potential moderator of the relation between frequent use and motivations for use (Anthenien et al, 2021). Expectations such as these may have implications for gambling behaviors.…”

Responsible Cannabis Sales: A Narrative Review Considering Interventions for Dispensary Staff to Address Cannabis Harms

“…Not all outcomes of cannabis match general expectancies, nor is there a complete list of such expectancies within the extant literature; however, some of the documented expected outcomes of cannabis use include better sleep (Altman et al, 2019), better sex (Currin et al, 2018), positive social effects and enhanced cognition (Anthenien et al, 2021), reduced nausea during pregnancy (Westfall et al, 2006), and reduced anxiety (Spinella et al, 2021). Regardless of the specific expectancy, it is safe to say that they are socially transmitted (Vroom et al, 2015) and typically communicated to individuals who are inexperienced with cannabis use by individuals with use experience, including dispensary staff.…”