Not Just for Fun or Stress Relief
Why do people use cannabis? A new study finds that the answer is rarely simple. Researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Washington have discovered that many young adults use cannabis for multiple reasons at once, and those combinations can have a big impact on how much they use—and what side effects they experience.
In a real-time study of over 500 women aged 18 to 25 in the United States, researchers tracked their daily cannabis habits over two weeks. Many participants identified as LGBTQ+, a group known to be at higher risk for heavy cannabis use. The study went beyond asking how often people used cannabis—it looked at why, and what happened as a result.
The Most Common Motives
Across more than 5,000 instances of cannabis use, the most commonly reported motive was coping with stress or negative emotions (79%). But people didn’t stop there. They also used cannabis to:
- Enhance positive feelings (40%)
- Improve sleep (25%)
- Manage physical symptoms like pain or nausea (18%)
- Feel more social or comfortable in social settings (13%)
Most people reported more than one motive per session, averaging nearly two reasons each time they used cannabis.
More Motives, More Consequences
The researchers found a clear pattern: the more motives someone had, the more likely they were to use cannabis heavily, feel more intoxicated, and experience negative consequences. These could include nausea, feeling dizzy, or emotional side effects like anxiety.
But it wasn’t just about the number of motives—it was which motives that mattered.
Some Motive Combos Are Riskier Than Others
Using a method called multilevel latent class analysis, the team identified six common combinations of motives. Here are a few examples:
- Coping + Social + Enhancement: This group consistently reported the heaviest cannabis use and most consequences.
- Coping + Medical: Interestingly, this group reported less intense use and fewer negative effects.
- Coping + Sleep: Another relatively lower-risk combination, linked to shorter sessions and milder intoxication.
So while multiple motives usually predict heavier use, some combinations may actually be associated with more controlled consumption.
What This Means for Clinicians—and Cannabis Users
If you’re a healthcare provider or mental health counselor, this study highlights the importance of asking not just how often someone uses cannabis, but why, and how those reasons interact.
Knowing that a person is using cannabis to cope, socialize, and feel good all at once could signal a higher-risk pattern—and may call for additional behavioral strategies or support. Meanwhile, those using cannabis primarily for medical or sleep-related reasons may face less risk of overuse.
It also points to the need for tailored interventions for LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse individuals, who may face unique stressors and social contexts that shape their cannabis use.
Related Reading on TheCannex
Cannabis is about more than chemistry—it’s deeply social and psychological. Learn how cannabis impacts romantic satisfaction and differs by gender in our article on relationship outcomes and marijuana use. Curious about whether cannabis drinks can reduce alcohol intake? Read our coverage of a new study on cannabis beverages. And if you’re looking for the best flower to suit your needs, don’t miss our expert roundup of the Best Weed Strains for 2025.
FAQ: Key Terms Explained
What is a “coping motive”?
This refers to using cannabis to manage stress, anxiety, sadness, or other negative emotions. It’s considered a psychological strategy for emotional regulation—but frequent use for this reason can increase risk of dependence or problematic patterns.
What does “enhancement motive” mean?
This is when cannabis is used to increase positive emotions or sensations—such as having more fun, enjoying food or music, or enhancing a social experience.
What is a multilevel latent class analysis?
It’s a statistical method used to uncover hidden (or “latent”) groups within data. In this study, it helped identify patterns of combined motives that people commonly report when using cannabis.
How are “medical” motives different from “coping” motives?
Medical motives involve using cannabis for physical symptoms—like pain, nausea, or other health conditions. Coping motives are about emotional relief. The two can overlap, but they reflect different psychological frameworks.
