The aim of the current study is to assess if the patterns of use, socio-demographic characteristics,
; and use of other drugs differ among people who only use cannabis and those that
; use synthetic cannabinoids. Data from the second wave of the European Web Survey on
; Drugs, a web-based cross-sectional survey from 10 different European countries including
; individuals aged 18 and over (n = 37,109). Participation was anonymous, self-selecting,
; and voluntary. Cannabinoid exposure was taken as the dependent variable and categorized
; into the four following variables: (1) neither last year use of cannabis nor of synthetic
; cannabinoids (SC) independently of lifetime use, (2) cannabis use, (3) synthetic cannabinoids
; use, and (4) use of both, in the last 12 months. Independent variables included
; socio-demographic data, other drug use in the last month, and patterns of cannabis use.
; The use of SC was associated with higher odd of polysubstance use in the last year (OR
; 2.17; 95%CI 1.27–3.72) and use of other drugs during the last month. Low income (OR
; 2.34; 95%CI 1.20–4.58) and unemployment (OR 3.02; 95%CI 1.34–6.83) were related to
; SC use alone and cannabis plus SC use (OR 1.53; 95%CI 1.13–2.05) (OR 4.12; 95%CI
; 3.45–4.91). Social vulnerabilities were associated with the use of cannabis in the last year,
; but more markedly with synthetic cannabinoids use. Those who used synthetic cannabinoids
; reported using other drugs more often than those who used or did not use cannabis.
; The findings highlight the importance of social vulnerabilities and poly-drug use when
; assessing the use of new psychoactive substances such as SC and how these differ when
; compared to cannabis.