Characterizing the Objective and Subjective Context of Cannabis Use

Recreational cannabis use among adults in the U.S. is rising, underscoring the importance of understanding contextual factors related to cannabis use and how contextual factors relate to the subjective effects of cannabis use. Although much work has examined retrospectively cannabis use patterns and effects, fewer studies have examined cannabis use in natural environments. The present study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to characterize the objective context of cannabis use (e.g., location, time, concurrent behaviors, social environment) and the subjective experience of cannabis use (e.g., associations between cannabis use and positive and negative affect). Participants (N = 200) completed baseline assessments and two 7-day waves of EMA data collection. Random effects mixed models examined between- and within-subjects effects for positive and negative affect at cannabis use and nonuse times and interactions between cannabis use and social context. Cannabis use occurred most frequently when individuals were at home, with others, and “hanging out,” and use frequency was almost evenly distributed across days of the week. Positive affect was elevated at cannabis use times regardless of social context. The relationship between cannabis use and negative affect was moderated by social context, such that negative affect was elevated at cannabis use times when participants were alone and reduced at cannabis use times when participants were in the presence of others. Cannabis use disorder symptomatology and cannabis use frequency were both inversely related to negative affect at cannabis use times. These results suggest that elevated positive affect may contribute to maintained cannabis use for some individuals; alternatively, some cannabis use may be negatively reinforced by alleviation of negative affect.