Exploration of JUUL and Other Tobacco Product (OTP) Use Among Current Marijuana Users

Abstract

Use of marijuana and other tobacco products (co-use) is common. The use of JUUL, a new e-cigarette has increased significantly in the past two years. This study explored use patterns of marijuana, other tobacco products (OTP), and co-use of JUUL. 263 U.S. adults registered on Amazon Mechanical Turk who reported JUUL ever-use and indicated past 30-day use of marijuana, completed survey items assessing JUUL use, OTP use, state legalization status of marijuana, age of first use of marijuana, self-reported nicotine dependence (ND) and disordered marijuana use (DMU). Differences were examined between tobacco use status (JUUL+OTP user vs. JUUL-exclusive), marijuana legalization status, DMU, and ND, respectively via independent samples t-tests. The majority of the sample were JUUL+OTP users (68%), reported marijuana use for an average of 14 days per month for an average of 4 months. JUUL+OTP users reported significantly greater DMU (M = 9.19; SD = 6.34, t (261) = 2.40, p = .02) and ND (M = 1.47, SD = 2.42, t (261) = 2.59, p = .01) compared to JUUL-exclusive users (ND, M = 7.36, SD = 5.69; DMU, M = .77, SD = 1.90). State marijuana legalization was associated with increased DMU (M = 9.2. SD = 6.5, p = .005). No differences were observed in age of first marijuana use (p = .28) by legalization status. Overall, JUUL+OTP users reported greater ND and DMU compared to JUUL-exclusive users. Users in states with legalized marijuana also reported greater disordered marijuana use.