Abstract
<p>Introduction: Currently, most evidence on the impact of regular cannabis use on the risk of problematic use patterns stems from individuals with recreational use motives, while individuals using medicinally may differ in important ways, including use characteristics and experienced problems. Hence, this study directly compared individuals using medicinally or recreationally motives on user characteristics and (networks of) indicators of problematic use, measured using the CUDIT-R. Methods: We included 932 individuals aged 18–65 years who used cannabis at least 2–4 times per month. Measures assessed cannabis use characteristics, mental health, and cannabis use severity and related problems. CUDIT-R networks were estimated using a regularized partial correlation (EBICglasso) approach for the full sample and separately by motive (medicinal n = 279, recreational n = 653). Group differences were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U tests (e.g., user characteristics, CUDIT-R scores, mental health) and network comparison tests. Results: The medicinal group was on average older, included more women, and reported more comorbidities than the recreational group. Furthermore, the medicinal group used cannabis more frequently, but the recreational group had higher total CUDIT-R scores, indicative of higher use-related problems. The overall CUDIT-R network was dense, with inability to stop and cognitive problems emerging as the most central nodes. Network structure did not differ by motive, although the medicinal group scored lower on most individual CUDIT-R items. Conclusions: The CUDIT-R items appear to interact similarly regardless of motive. However, distinct user characteristics and lower item endorsement among those using medicinally indicate that problematic cannabis use may develop differently depending on motive.</p>