Maxwell Wray
University of Miami
Co-Authors: Amrit Baral1, Bria-Necole Diggs1, Michelle Weiner2, Hilliary Schlerf3, Lisa Reidy1, Denise C Vidot1
1University of Miami, 2Nova Southeastern University, 3University of Maryland
Background: Cannabis is perceived as an alternative to pharmaceuticals for psychiatric/medical conditions, despite mixed findings. Research suggests sex differences in psychiatric and physical conditions. Given potential drug-cannabis-interactions, it is crucial to understand differences in medications used by cannabis use status (CB+/CB-).
Objective: This study examined sex differences in medication use and history of medical conditions (HxMC +/-) between CB+ and CB-.
Methods: Data are from the Herbal Heart Study (N=199) which investigates cannabis and cardiovascular risk. Participants’ current medications/supplements were classified into three categories: psychotropic, non-psychotropic, and mixed-use, based on FDA clinical indications. Chi-Square tests were conducted to examine 1) cannabis use, medication use, and HxMC; and 2) these variables and sex. Mann-Whitney tests compared medication use between CB+/CB- and HxMC+/-. Kruskal-Wallis tests evaluated differences in medication use by route of cannabis administration.
Results: Most of the sample (mean age = 25.62y, SD = 4.81) were female (64.8%), Hispanic/Latino (57.3%), and CB+ (62.8%). Within CB+, 27.2% used blunts, 37.6% joints, and 35.2% vape/mixed methods. Overall, 58.3% of participants reported current medication/supplement use; 29.2% had HxMC+. Cannabis use was associated with psychotropic medications (p = 0.002) but not HxMC, total medication use, or use of non-psychotropic/mixed-use medications. Psychotropic medication use was higher among CB+ (17.6% vs 3.5%); the highest usage observed in the joint group (8.0% vs 3.02% blunt and 6.53% vape/mixed, p = 0.006). Sex-stratified associations were found with total medication use (χ² =7.0 , p=0.008) and non-psychotropic medication use (χ² = 8.4,p = 0.004). Females reported significantly higher total (42.2% vs 16.1%, p=0.008) and non-psychotropic medication use (36.2% vs 12.1%, p=0.007) than males. Psychotropic medication use was significantly higher for both female (17.8% vs 5.43%, p=0.008) and male (17.4% vs 0.0%, p=0.042) CB+ than CB-. Among males, psychotropic medication use was highest among joint consumers than other routes of administration (8.6% vs 7.1%,1.4%, and 0.0% respectively, p=0.045). No significant differences in psychotropic medication use were observed between male and female CB+ participants.
Conclusions: Associations between sex, medications, and cannabis use were found. Further investigation should examine interactions and sex differences between cannabis use and psychotropic medication patterns of use.