Table 6 Reasons for first, subsequent use and no use of SCRAs with most important reason for each highlighted and italicised

Curiosity to compare effects to cannabis

63

77%

18

22%

Offered by others/available

51

62%

15

18%

Heard reports from other sources

50

61%

7

9%

Offered an alternative to cannabis

42

51%

13

16%

Legal status

42

51%

10

12%

Easier to obtain than cannabis

31

38%

4

5%

Subject to drug testing

20

24%

7

9%

To reduce or cease cannabis use

15

18%

6

7%

Produced desirable recreational effects

14

17%

-

-

Less expensive than cannabis

10

12%

1

1%

Stronger than cannabis

10

12%

1

1%

Produced positive therapeutic/medicinal effects

7

9%

-

-

Milder than cannabis

4

5%

-

-

Subsequent SCRA use (n = 72)

Offered an alternative to cannabis

37

51%

7

10%

Easier to obtain than cannabis

34

47%

7

10%

Stronger than cannabis

33

44%

13

18%

Legal status

31

43%

7

10%

Offered by others/available

31

43%

9

13%

Produced desirable recreational effects

22

31%

6

8%

Subject to drug testing

20

28%

9

13%

Curiosity to compare effects to cannabis

19

26%

9

13%

Produced positive therapeutic/medicinal effects

10

14%

-

-

Less expensive than cannabis

9

13%

3

4%

To reduce or cease cannabis use

8

11%

2

3%

Heard reports from other sources

8

11%

-

-

Milder than cannabis

5

7%

-

-

No SCRA use (n = 72)

Heard bad/negative reports

62

86%

37

51%

Not a natural product

50

69%

17

24%

No curiosity to try SCRAs

40

56%

5

7%

Undesired recreational effects

38

53%

7

10%

Distrust of SCRA manufacturers

20

28%

2

3%

Never offered or available

14

19%

4

6%

Negative/harmful effect profile

14

19%

-

-

Distrust of SCRA retailers

11

15%

-

-

Illegal status

9

13%

-

-

More difficult to obtain

8

11%

-

-

Stronger than cannabis

5

7%

-

-

Subject to drug testing

3

4%

-

-

More expensive

2

3%

-

-

Milder than cannabis

2

3%

-

-