45% of People Who Use Both Cannabis and Stimulants Report Using Cannabis to Manage Stimulant Cravings
Among 297 people who use both cannabis and unregulated stimulants in Vancouver, 45% reported using cannabis specifically to manage stimulant cravings, and 78% of those reported subsequently reducing their stimulant use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings was reported by 134 of 297 participants (45.1%). Of those, 77.6% reported decreasing stimulant use. In multivariable analysis, cannabis for craving management was associated with 76% lower odds of continued stimulant use (aOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.56). The association was strongest among daily crystal methamphetamine users (aOR = 0.08) but not significant for daily crack/cocaine users.
Key Numbers
297 participants; 45.1% used cannabis to manage stimulant cravings; 77.6% of those reported decreased stimulant use; aOR 0.24 for reduced stimulant use; aOR 0.08 for daily meth users.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional questionnaire administered to 297 people who concurrently use cannabis and unregulated stimulants in Vancouver, Canada. Logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and substance use variables.
Why This Research Matters
With no FDA-approved medications for stimulant use disorder, people who use drugs are developing their own harm reduction strategies. This study documents cannabis substitution as a common, self-directed approach.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis substitution for harder drugs is an emerging harm reduction concept. This study suggests it may be particularly relevant for methamphetamine, which has no approved pharmacotherapy.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Self-reported outcomes. Vancouver PWUD population may not generalize.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would structured cannabis-assisted reduction programs for stimulant use be more effective than naturalistic use?
- ?Why does the association appear stronger for methamphetamine than crack/cocaine?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 76% lower odds of continued stimulant use among those using cannabis for cravings
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional self-report design in a specific population limits causal inference and generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2024 publication
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings among people who use unregulated drugs.
- Published In:
- Addictive behaviors, 148, 107867 (2024)
- Authors:
- Reddon, Hudson(5), Socias, Maria Eugenia(4), DeBeck, Kora(8), Hayashi, Kanna, Walsh, Zach, Milloy, M-J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05647
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help reduce stimulant use?
In this Vancouver study, 45% of people who use both cannabis and stimulants reported using cannabis to manage stimulant cravings. Among daily methamphetamine users, this was associated with 92% lower odds of continued stimulant use, though causation cannot be proven.
Is cannabis substitution a real harm reduction strategy?
This study documents it as a common self-directed strategy. Nearly half of participants reported using cannabis to manage stimulant cravings, and most reported reducing their stimulant use. Clinical trials are needed.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05647APA
Reddon, Hudson; Socias, Maria Eugenia; DeBeck, Kora; Hayashi, Kanna; Walsh, Zach; Milloy, M-J. (2024). Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings among people who use unregulated drugs.. Addictive behaviors, 148, 107867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107867
MLA
Reddon, Hudson, et al. "Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings among people who use unregulated drugs.." Addictive behaviors, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107867
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings among people who u..." RTHC-05647. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/reddon-2024-cannabis-use-to-manage
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.