Cannabis, motivation, and life satisfaction in an internet sample

Daily cannabis use does not impair motivation, and its impact on subjective wellbeing is small. A large sample of 487 people, comparing those who used cannabis daily with those who had never used it, found no differences in motivation using standard or robust statistical methods. A small difference in subjective wellbeing was detected only with robust methods, but this was largely accounted for by medical users reporting health problems, suggesting illness rather than cannabis use lowered wellbeing. All statistical tests failed to reach significance at the p = .05 level, indicating no reliable effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Although little evidence supports cannabis-induced amotivational syndrome, sources continue to assert that the drug saps motivation 1, which may guide current prohibitions. Few studies report low motivation in chronic users; another reveals that they have higher subjective wellbeing. To assess differences in motivation and subjective wellbeing, we used a large sample (N = 487) and strict definitions of cannabis use (7 days/week) and abstinence (never). Standard statistical techniques showed no differences. Robust statistical methods controlling for heteroscedasticity, non-normality and extreme values found no differences in motivation but a small difference in subjective wellbeing. Medical users of cannabis reporting health problems tended to account for a significant portion of subjective wellbeing differences, suggesting that illness decreased wellbeing. All p-values were above p = .05. Thus, daily use of cannabis does not impair motivation. Its impact on subjective wellbeing is small and may actually reflect lower wellbeing due to medical symptoms rather than actual consumption of the plant.