Cannabis Use Problems Moderate Daily Associations Between Cannabis Consequences and Subsequent Use.

OBJECTIVE: Social learning theory posits that experiencing negative consequences of substance use reduces subsequent use. However, relatively few studies have examined prospective effects of substance use consequences on subsequent use; those that have focus exclusively on alcohol and have produced mixed results. The current study aimed to advance our understanding of the daily effects of consequences on subsequent use by examining these associations for cannabis, determining if consequences accumulate over time and how long they continue to influence use, and identifying moderators (i.e., cannabis use problems; motives for use) of these associations.

METHOD: We used ecological momentary assessment data (two observations per day for 14 days) from 571 young adult females who regularly used cannabis. The sample included a majority of sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals (77.6%) and a comparison group of heterosexual cisgender women (22.4%).

RESULTS: Recent cannabis consequences were associated with a decreased likelihood of subsequent use among individuals with fewer cannabis use problems. Coping motives also moderated associations between consequences and subsequent cannabis use, with consequences only associated with lighter next-day use when coping motives were not endorsed on the next day. Findings also suggest that consequences accumulate across days, and cumulative consequences over the past 5 days continue to influence cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that individuals with severe cannabis use problems may not respond with behavioral change to consequences, whereas individuals with fewer cannabis use problems reduce use following consequences. This may result from differences in perceptions of the aversiveness of consequences, which should be examined by future research.