Effects of age and sex on primary form and method of cannabis use

ABSTRACT

Background: While cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance, few studies have focused on the relationship between sociodemographic factors and preference for primary form or method of cannabis use.

Methods: The ‘Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory’ was used to collect information on the primary form and method of cannabis use in young adults ages 18 to 25 and adults 26 and older. Chi-square analysis was used to examine differences by age and sex (n = 852; n = 536 male).

Results: Young adults were more likely to report using bongs, vaporizers, and edibles, while older participants were more likely to report using blunts. Males were more likely to report marijuana, while females were more likely to report edibles as their primary form of cannabis use. Males were more likely to report using blunts, while females were more likely to report using joints and edibles.

Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest there are significant effects of age and sex on primary form and method of cannabis use. Future studies should examine how personality and environmental influences may affect preferences for forms and methods of cannabis use and how these affect long-term health outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Cannabis
• form
• method
• age
• sex

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Jessica Cavalli for her assistance with survey design and data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, AC, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by start-up research funds to AC from Oregon State University.