have been underrepresented in substance-related studies, which limit the examination of racial differences in the influence of environmental factors on multiple cannabis related phenotypes. Research has also shown differences in the impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on cannabis involvement between AA and EA women (Sartor et al., 2015). A recent investigation linked CSA to cannabis initiation and transition to first problem (after taking into account familial risk; Sartor et al., 2015). European-Americans with a history of CSA were at consistently higher risk for cannabis use and transition to problem use. Within AA respondents, the association between CSA and cannabis outcomes varied by developmental period. Childhood sexual abuse increased risk for cannabis use at highest magnitude at ages ≤14 and increased risk for cannabis problem at highest magnitude at ages ≥21. Thus, existing environmental etiological models of cannabis involvement do not appear to fit as well for AA as EAs. Understanding how race can impact cannabis initiation and problem development and how trauma exposure plays a role in initiation and transition to problems is essential for developing culturally sensitive, competent, and effective prevention and intervention strategies.
