The Motivations and Impacts of Cannabis Use in Aotearoa New Zealand

<p><strong>Despite the significant rates of cannabis use globally and in Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ), most people who use cannabis do so without experiencing significant harm. However, a minority of users can and do experience significant adverse impacts of their use. This research aims to explore potential factors in the development of cannabis related harms within an ANZ context. Based on existing research findings, this thesis aims to assess if people in ANZ use cannabis as a coping mechanism, and if so, whether using cannabis to cope is associated with experiencing harm. I utilized a mixed-methods design including a broad survey on cannabis use, motivations, and impacts, followed by eight follow-up interviews, which focused on the individuals' experiences and opinions of cannabis use. Participants were required to be over 18, spend the majority of their time in NZ, and have used cannabis at least once. This research found that approximately 30% of survey participants indicated that they use cannabis to cope, and endorsement of all three cannabis use motives was significantly associated with indicating they have experienced harm as a result of their use. Connections were also made between cannabis use and mental health across both studies, highlighting the role of mental health in cannabis use harm. These results support the arguments for decriminalisation of cannabis use, increased efforts to discourage use amongst adolescents and teens, and the prioritization of increased education and mental health support for at-risk groups. In combination, these implications could reduce reliance on cannabis to cope, thereby reducing the rate and severity of individual and societal harm from cannabis use in ANZ.</strong></p>