Exploring the antecendents and consequences of cannabis use in the context of coping: An experimental study - As cannabis legalization increases, there have been concurrent increases in use. A common reason for use is the mitigation of anxiety and stress, which has been exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, cannabis use for coping purposes is associated with greater quantity and frequency (Q/F) of cannabis use, increased risk for cannabis-related problems, and greater likelihood for cannabis dependence. In turn, greater Q/F of cannabis use and dependence can lead to safety risks, mental/physical health issues, and other problems like greater Q/F of alcohol use. Thus, developing a greater understanding of cannabis use for coping purposes is a critical research endeavor. There are several important avenues of research that can inform our understanding of this use pattern. The first is examining if quantity of cannabis is actually increased when used for coping purposes, which has not yet been experimentally tested, as well as exploring factors that may moderate this effect (e.g., social anxiety and inhibitory control). A second avenue is investigating whether cannabis use actually mitigates stress. A third avenue is exploring the biological role of the endocannabinoid system as a mechanism by which cannabis use may relate to acute stress reduction as well as the role of cannabinoid content in this process. Specifically, research shows that the endocannabinoid, arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), is negatively associated with anxiety and stress such that it may mediate the relationship between cannabis use and stress reduction. Because the two main cannabis constituents, 9-delta tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are associated with disparate effects on AEA, they may differentially influence how cannabis use relates to stress. In particular, CBD may actually decrease stress compared to THC via greater effects on AEA production. This study proposes to examine these research questions with four aims. The first will experimentally test a causal relationship between cannabis use for coping purposes and quantity of cannabis use (i.e., if more cannabis is used after stress induction compared to a control condition among individuals who endorse cannabis use for coping purposes). The second will test if the relationship between stress and cannabis use is stronger for individuals with social anxiety and/or poorer inhibitory control. The third will test if cannabis use after stress is related to decreases in subjective and objective stress. The fourth will ask whether decreases in stress are mediated via increased AEA, and if this indirect relationship is stronger with greater CBD to THC product ratios. Knowledge gained from this study will have significant public health impact including aiding in intervention and prevention efforts for cannabis misuse and contributing data on the harm reduction potential of CBD.
