Mrs. Puff's Boating School: Correlates of Boating Under the Influence of Cannabis

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

As cannabis legalization increases medically and recreationally in the US, use and risks associated with cannabis use also increase, such as driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). About 30% of cannabis users report DUIC. However, current research has not examined boating under the influence of cannabis (BUIC), despite growing availability of legal cannabis.
Florida Young Adults Cannabis Survey data (n = 900) was used to assess correlates of BUIC using two logistic regression models to compare self-identified primary cannabis use motivation (recreational, medical, equal). Model 1 used demographic controls including age, race, and gender. Model 2 used previous controls and health related controls such as general health, cannabis use disorder symptoms, PTSD diagnosis, and pain interference to assess impact.
Model 2 found no differences between medical and recreational users, but equal users were less likely to BUIC than others. Health related controls were more influential on BUIC, with cannabis use disorder, PTSD diagnosis, pain interference, and suicidality being significant, other significant controls included gender, justice involvement, and previous DUIC behavior.
Results indicate self-rated primary medical/recreational cannabis use is less predictive for BUIC than symptom mitigation. Cannabis professionals should make users more aware of the risks of operating heavy machinery.

Authors

• Alexander Lewis, University of Central Florida

• Kelly Blaus, University of Central Florida

• Jason Ford, University of Central Florida