Abbamonte JM , Rodriguez VJ , Kapadia HN , Weiss SM , Kumar M , Jones DL , Jayaweera DT
in the general population and has been increasingly accepted in the US. However, findings about its potential benefits or risks have been mixed. This study examined the relative contribution of cannabis use on health behaviors and health outcomes in the context of a co-occurring cumulative burden comprised of substance use, depression, and poverty. Methods: Participants (N = 241) were recruited from the community, and were assessed on a number of demographic, behavioral, and physiological domains. Exclusive cannabis use was defined as the use of cannabis alone without other the use of other drugs. Results: Exclusive cannabis use was only associated with decreased antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake (b = -1.26, SE = 0.53, p = .018), as well as decreased total exercise (b = -0.66, SE = 0.29, p = .021). In contrast, a variety of other factors including age, education, and the cumulative burden factor were associated with health behaviors. Conclusion: Findings suggest the deleterious consequences of cannabis among PWH are limited to decreased ART use and exercise, which suggest the need for prevention interventions targeting of memory and motivation.
