Marijuana Use to Address Symptoms and Side Effects by Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions.

* Abbreviations: IU — : instrumental use RU — : recreational use YCMC — : youth with chronic medical conditions We surveyed youth with chronic medical conditions (YCMC) to assess whether marijuana used to address symptoms or side effects (“instrumental use” [IU]) was associated with health characteristics, substance-use behaviors, and beliefs. We analyzed baseline data from 451 participants aged 14 to 18 years receiving care for a chronic medical condition who enrolled in a randomized trial of an intervention to reduce alcohol use. Seventy-three participants reported marijuana use in the past 12 months and were included in these analyses. Youth assent was secured with a waiver of parental consent under the approval of the institutional review board. Participants were asked whether they use marijuana to alleviate disease symptoms or side effects. Marijuana use items included the following: age … Address correspondence to Joe Kossowsky, PhD, MMSc, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, 333 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: joe.kossowsky{at}childrens.harvard.edu