Cross-Sectional Associations Between Expectancies for Cannabis use and Pain in an Emerging Adult Sample

Pain and cannabis use are highly prevalent among emerging adults but research regarding how pain is associated with cannabis-related expectancies is limited. Emerging adults who reported past three-month cannabis use (N = 173) were recruited through an online sampling platform. Participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test – Revised, and Marijuana Effect Expectancy Questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions indicated that pain intensity and disability were associated with hazardous cannabis use and expectancies for global negative effects (ps < .001). Sex did not moderate any of these relationships (ps > .14). Findings suggest that emerging adults who experience pain report greater hazardous cannabis use and may expect more negative effects of cannabis use. Researchers and clinicians should consider assessing pain in the context of cannabis studies and interventions.