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Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
Mar, 2025;123 (2): 297-311.

Using prospective mixed methods to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cannabis demand.

Elizabeth R Aston, Madeline B Benz, Rachel Souza, Benjamin L Berey, Jane Metrik
Author Information
  1. Elizabeth R Aston: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. ORCID
  2. Madeline B Benz: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Providence, RI, USA.
  3. Rachel Souza: Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
  4. Benjamin L Berey: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
  5. Jane Metrik: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
PMID: 39996464 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.70001

Abstract

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to understand how major global stressors influence substance use, including cannabis-related outcomes. The Marijuana Purchase Task assesses hypothetical cannabis demand (i.e., relative reinforcing value) and can detect contextual alterations. This study paired prospective cannabis demand assessment with qualitative inquiry to explore how COVID-19 impacted cannabis use behavior. Individuals previously enrolled in a laboratory cannabis administration study opted in to a remote follow-up survey (n���=���41, 46% female). Participants were categorized as those who did or did not increase use based on self-reported changes in cannabis flower use and provided contextual explanations regarding pandemic-related influences on cannabis outcomes. General linear models with repeated measures examined mean differences in demand by occasion (i.e., before/during COVID-19), group (i.e., those who did/did not increase use), and their interaction. Those who increased use exhibited significantly higher demand during the pandemic; those who did not increase use exhibited similar demand across time revealing a Group �� Time interaction. Thematic analysis contextualized quantitative findings, explaining external influences that affect use and demand (e.g., changes in cost, access, environment). COVID-19 differentially impacted cannabis use and demand, with prepandemic use affecting trajectories. Contextual influences (i.e., availability, free time, income) facilitate the escalation of use under conditions of extreme global stress.

Keywords

COVID���19 behavioral economics cannabis demand mixed methods qualitative

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Grants

  1. T32MH126426/NIMH NIH HHS
  2. IK2CX002645-01A1/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  3. T32AA007459/NIAAA NIH HHS
  4. K01DA039311/NIDA NIH HHS
  5. T32MH126426/NIMH NIH HHS
  6. T32AA007459/NIAAA NIH HHS
  7. K01DA039311/NIDA NIH HHS

MeSH Term

Humans
COVID-19
Female
Male
Prospective Studies
Adult
Young Adult
Cannabis
Marijuana Use
Adolescent
Marijuana Smoking
Reinforcement, Psychology
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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