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Abstract
Background
Recent prevalence estimates of cannabis use among individuals receiving medication treatment for OUD (MOUD) are lacking, and no study has characterized cannabis route of administration (cROA) in this population. These knowledge gaps are relevant because cannabis’ effects and health outcomes vary by cROA and the availability and perceptions of cROA (e.g., vaping devices) are changing.
Methods
The Vaping In Buprenorphine-treated patients Evaluation (VIBE) cross-sectional survey assessed the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use and cROA among adults receiving buprenorphine MOUD from 02/20 to 07/20 at five community health centers in Massachusetts, a state with legal recreational and medical cannabis use.
Results
Among the 92/222 (41%) respondents reporting past 30-day cannabis use, smoking was the most common cROA (75%), followed by vaping (38%), and eating (26%). Smoking was more often used as a single cROA vs. in combination others (p = 0.01), whereas vaping, eating, and dabbing were more often used in combination with another cROA (all p < 0.05). Of the 39% of participants reporting multiple cROA, smoking and vaping (61%), and smoking and eating (50%), were the most prevalent combinations. Nonwhite race (vs. white) and current cigarette smoking (vs. no nicotine use) were associated with past 30-day cannabis use in multiple logistic regression.
Conclusions
Prevalence of past 30-day cannabis use among individuals receiving buprenorphine MOUD in Massachusetts in 2020 was nearly double the prevalence of cannabis use in Massachusetts’ adult general population in 2019 (21%). Our data are consistent with state and national data showing smoking as the most common cROA.
Disclosure statement
Dr. Rigotti receives royalties from UpToDate, has consulted for Achieve Life Sciences, and consulted (without pay) for Pfizer. Dr. Kalkhoran has received royalties from UpToDate. Dr. Wakeman receives royalties from UpToDate and has received salary support from OptumLabs, Celero Systems, and Alosa Health. The remaining authors have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
Contributors
Design and conduct of the study: Drs. Rigotti and Streck
Data Collection: Ms. Kalagher, Dr. Gupta
Data Analysis: Drs. Streck and Regan
Manuscript Drafting: Drs. Streck and Rigotti
Review of Manuscript for content: Drs. Kalkhoran, Bearnot, Gupta, Regan, Wakeman, and Ms. Kalagher.
All authors have read and approved of the final manuscript.