Effects of research setting on observed depressive symptoms in marijuana users

A post hoc analysis examined depressive symptoms in regular marijuana smokers interested in nontreatment, laboratory studies, and marijuana-dependent treatment-seekers considering clinical trial participation. Among marijuana-dependent treatment-seeking patients screened for a clinical trial, the mean Beck Depression Inventory Score (BDI) was significantly higher than for marijuana-using volunteers screened for nontreatment laboratory studies. Mean self-reported baseline marijuana use was not significantly different between groups, and BDI score was not correlated with use. Although the methods by which the two groups were selected influenced their characteristics (i.e., treatment-seekers are more likely to be experiencing some degree of clinical distress), it is notable that treatment-seeking, and not marijuana use per se, is associated with significantly higher rates of depression.