JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Marijuana use is common in persons with HIV, but there is limited evidence of its relationship to potential health benefits or harms. The MAPLE study was designed as a longitudinal cohort study to evaluate the impact of marijuana use on HIV-related health outcomes, cognitive function, and systemic inflammation.

Objective:

This paper describes the study rationale, methods, and baseline study sample characteristics for the MAPLE study.

Methods:

Participants living with HIV were recruited from three locations in Florida and were either current marijuana users or never regular marijuana users. At enrollment, participants completed questionnaires that included detailed marijuana use assessments, underwent interviewer-administered neurocognitive assessments, and provided samples of blood and urine. Ongoing follow-ups include brief telephone assessments (every 3 months), detailed questionnaires (annually), repeated blood and urine samples (2-years), and linkage to medical records and statewide HIV surveillance data. Supplemental measures related to intracellular RNA, COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, and the gut microbiome were added after study initiation.

Results:

The MAPLE study completed enrollment of 316 persons between 2018 and 2021 (mean age 50, 45% female, 66% Black, 14% Hispanic). Of these, 250 (79%) were current marijuana users. Participant follow-up is expected to end in 2022, with annual updates to HIV surveillance data through at least 2027.

Conclusions:

The MAPLE study is the largest cohort specifically designed to understand the use of marijuana and its effects on HIV-related outcomes. The study population has significant diversity across age, gender, and race. The data will help clinicians and public health officials to better understand patterns of marijuana use associated with both positive and negative health outcomes, and may inform recommendations for future clinical trials related to medical marijuana and HIV.