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Background: Cannabis use is increasing among middle-aged and older US adults, populations that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of cannabis. Risks for adverse effects differ by cannabis use patterns, which have become increasingly heterogeneous. Nevertheless, little is known about age differences in such patterns. Objective: To investigate age differences in cannabis use patterns, comparing younger (age 18-49), middle-aged (age 50-64), and older adults (age ≥65). Methods: A total of 4,151 US adults with past 7-day cannabis consumption completed an online survey (35.1% male; 60.1% female; 4.8% identified as "other"). Regression models examined age differences in cannabis use patterns. Results: Compared to younger adults, middle-aged and older adults were more likely to consume cannabis during evening hours (50-64: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.98, 95% CI 2.24-3.96; ≥65: aOR = 4.23, 95 CI 2.82-6.35); by only one method (50-64: aOR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.34-2.09; ≥65: aOR = 3.38, 95 CI 2.24-5.09); primarily by smoking as the only method (50-64: aOR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.29-1.78; ≥65: aOR = 2.12, 95 CI 1.64-2.74); but less likely to consume concentrated cannabis products (concentrates) with extremely high %THC (50-64: aOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.93; ≥65: aOR = 0.30, 95 CI 0.16-0.55). Age differences in cannabis use patterns were also observed between middle-aged and older adults. Conclusion: Findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults may engage in less risky cannabis use patterns compared to younger groups (e.g. lower likelihood of consuming highly potent concentrates). However, findings also underscore the importance of recognizing risks unique to these older demographics, such as smoking-related health events. Consequently, prevention strategies targeting such use patterns are needed.

Introduction: Discomfort with and reluctance to disclose HIV status can lead to depression, social isolation, and poor medication adherence; we examined relationships among these variables within a sample of adolescents living with HIV in Uganda. Methods: We used baseline data from the Suubi + Adherence study, which recruited a total of 702 adolescents (ages 10-16 years) living with HIV in southwestern Uganda. Structural equation models were conducted separately among in-school adolescents and out-of-school adolescents to assess associations between discomfort level with HIV status and depressive symptoms and if this association was mediated by hopelessness. Results: Out-of-school adolescents had significantly higher depression scores compared with those in-school youth ( M  = 6.24 vs. M  = 5.03, p  < 0.001). Although high discomfort level with HIV status was significantly associated with higher depression scores among both in-school adolescents and out-of-school adolescents, this association among out-of-school adolescents ( B  = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.19, 0.79), was more substantial than for in-school adolescents ( B  = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.17). Discussion: One's discomfort with their HIV status and the extent to which they are hopeful about the future can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms and these factors need to be considered in the development of assessments and interventions for the treatment of depression among adolescents living with HIV.