Sex differences in driving under the influence of cannabis: The role of medical and recreational cannabis use. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lloyd, Shawnta L.; Lopez-Quintero, Catalina; Striley, Catherine W.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 110(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Marijuana -- Cannabis -- Driving under the influence -- Recreational Cannabis -- Medical Cannabis -- Sex; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106525
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Approximately one-third of adult cannabis users reported DUIC. Male combined medical and recreational cannabis users had the highest probability of DUIC. Female medical only users had the lowest probability of DUIC. The largest sex gap in DUIC was found among combined medical and recreational users. Targeted educational interventions are needed to prevent DUIC. Abstract: Background: Existing evidence suggest that cannabis may impair driving and is the most prevalent drug identified in drivers. Males exhibit an excess risk for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol compared to females. We assessed sex differences in the association between the reason for cannabis use (medical, recreational, or both) and driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). Methods: A sample of 17, 405 past 12-month cannabis users (18 + years old) were analyzed from the 2016–17 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the interaction of sex and reason for cannabis use on DUIC using predicted probabilities. Results: Among cannabis users in the sample, 88.1% used for recreational reasons, 7.8% used for medical reasons, and 4.1% used for medical and recreational reasons. The probability of DUIC was as low as 20% among female medical only users, and as high as 40% among male combined medical and recreational users. Females showed more similar probabilities of DUIC across reasons of use (range 20% to 25%s) than males (range 28% to 40%). The difference in the probability of DUIC between combined medical and recreational users and recreational only users was significantly greater among males than among females (Δ 0.1, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The observed effects of sex and reasons for cannabis use on DUIC suggests a need for targeted educational interventions, particularly among males reporting combined medical and recreational marijuana use.