Cannabis Dependence Among Georgian Small-Scale Cannabis Growers: Results of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey.

Abstract

The study aims to assess cannabis dependency among individuals who cultivate cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes. Participants included growers who cultivated cannabis for personal use, social supply, caregiving activities, or illegal sales. Between December 2020 and August 2021, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey among Georgian cannabis growers. We used the International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire to measure the purpose of growing cannabis and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with cannabis dependency. Out of 218 cannabis growers, 193 (88.5%) grew cannabis for their personal use. Among participants, 132 (68%) used cannabis for recreational and 61 (32%) used it for medical purposes. The overall prevalence of cannabis use dependency was 37.7%. In multiple logistic regression analysis, medical users (AOR 0.39, P-value < .05) had lower odds of developing dependency compared to recreational users. Growers who used cannabis for medical purposes were more likely to consume it on a daily or almost daily basis. The majority of Georgian (illegal) cannabis growers use their products for their personal consumption, mostly for recreational purposes. This group had a higher odd of developing cannabis dependency compared to those growers who use cannabis for the medical purposes.