Cannabis Use Happens Most at Home, at Neutral Moods, and When Craving Hits

Using ecological momentary assessment over 30 days with 36 young adults, cannabis use was more likely at neutral affect (aOR 0.95) and neutral arousal (aOR 1.52), higher craving (aOR 1.52), and during substance intoxication (aOR 1.25). External factors: use was more likely at home (aOR 1.97), less likely where smoking was forbidden (aOR 0.46), and less likely with more people present (aOR 0.91 per person).

Ecological Momentary Assessment study with 36 young adults (mean age 24.2, 33% female, 61% sexual minority, 44% non-Hispanic White) who regularly used both cannabis and tobacco. Participants completed multiple daily surveys over 30 days (1,632 total prompts). Generalized estimating equations estimated associations between momentary antecedents and cannabis use.

Understanding when and why people use cannabis in real time is crucial for developing effective interventions. The finding that cannabis use occurs at neutral rather than negative emotional states challenges the self-medication narrative and suggests habitual or routine use patterns may be more important drivers than emotional coping.

Much addiction theory assumes people use substances to cope with negative emotions. This study's finding that cannabis use occurs primarily at neutral moods rather than during distress suggests daily cannabis use may be more habitual than emotionally driven, which has different implications for treatment approaches.

Small sample (N=36). Participants used both cannabis and tobacco, limiting generalizability. Self-reported momentary data may be subject to reporting bias. Mostly sexual minority participants (61%). 30-day window may not capture seasonal or other temporal patterns.