Interestingly, racial differences in the type of trauma, psychopathology, and developmental period of risk associated with cannabis initiation and transition to first CUD problem were discovered. Although sexual abuse was determined to increase risk for cannabis initiation in both AA and EA women, the risk conferred for cannabis initiation in AA women was significant only prior to 15 years of age. This difference may be partially explained by reports that AAs are more likely to initiate cannabis first while EAs often use alcohol as their first substance (Sartor et al., 2013a). That is, AAs that experience childhood sexual abuse may be more likely to initiate cannabis while EAs may be more prone to use alcohol or other substances. Additionally, cannabis use may be more normative and easily accessible in some populations, increasing the likelihood of use at an early age. Witnessing another person being killed or injured and experiencing a life threatening accident were associated with cannabis initiation in AA women only. Physical abuse and MDD were discovered as risk factors for both cannabis initiation and transition to cannabis-related problems
