A Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use

Overview

The purpose of this study is to compare two brief interventions targeting potentially problematic cannabis use in emerging adults (ages 18-25). Brief interventions are two 40-50 minute sessions separated by 1 week. Eligible emerging adults will complete a detailed cannabis assessment (biological and self-report), followed by one of the two brief interventions, and four follow-up assessments: one immediately after the second session and at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-intervention. Assignment to the brief intervention is random. Salivary samples will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and all follow-ups, for a total of 5 samples, to be tested for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Cannabis is the most widely used federally illicit substance among emerging adults (age 18-25) in the U.S., and frequent cannabis use is associated with myriad long-term health, social, and academic/occupational consequences. Despite this, rates of perceived risk of daily/regular cannabis use have steadily declined over the past two decades, and this is associated with increased frequency of use, a risk for for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Brief interventions (BIs) are among the most frequently used approaches for addressing problematic or potentially problematic substance use in non-treatment-seeking adolescents and young adults. Although several cannabis brief interventions have been developed and tested to date, meta-analyses indicate that the efficacy of these interventions for emerging adults is mixed and the quality of studies is low, suggesting that novel approaches and rigorous methodology are necessary to improve efficacy. The current study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel cannabis BI for emerging adults who frequently use cannabis.