Marijuana withdrawal associated with aggression in a nationally representative sample of marijuana users

Evidence regarding a direct link between marijuana use and aggression is highly mixed with regard to both direction and significance. Recently, some have speculated that marijuana withdrawal symptoms may cause increased risk of aggression. In this study, we tested the association between marijuana withdrawal symptoms and aggressive behavior (general and relationship aggression) among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We analyzed data from wave two of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample was limited to those who reported using marijuana (n = 1,461) during the past year. We used logistic regression models to examine two outcomes: 1) general aggression since the last interview, and 2) past year relationship aggression. Marijuana abuse/dependence symptoms, age, gender, household income, personality disorder, alcohol use disorder, and drug use disorder (other than marijuana) were included in adjusted models as covariates. We found a significant association between marijuana withdrawal and general aggression (OR = 1.30; p < 0.05), but the association with relationship aggression was not significant. There was a significant age by withdrawal symptoms interaction, in which withdrawal symptoms were associated with relationship aggression among younger adults (OR = 2.53; p < 0.05 for 25 year olds). The interaction between age and withdrawal symptoms was not significant in the general aggression model. Our findings suggest a cross-sectional relationship between marijuana withdrawal symptoms and aggression. Results for younger adults are particularly intriguing because they indicate significant associations for both general aggression and relationship aggression.