An examination of opinions toward marijuana policies among high school seniors in the United States

Impact of Legalization on Cannabis Use, Attitudes, and Purchasing Preferences: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey of Canadian Young Adults

Objective

The Government of Canada legalized recreational cannabis use in October of 2018 with the implementation of the Cannabis Act. The act aimed to reduce the illicit cannabis market, improve consumer health outcomes, and reduce youth access to cannabis. However, little is known about the attitudes and behaviors of young adults, who have been shown to have a high prevalence of cannabis use, towards cannabis after legalization.

Method

In this descriptive study, we examined cannabis use, attitudes, and purchasing preferences among Canadian university-attending young adults both before and after the legalization of cannabis. Participants were recruited from a large Canadian university from 2017 to 2021.

Results

Our findings showed that there was an increase in cannabis use immediately following legalization that subsequently decreased in later years. Additionally, attitudes about the legalization of cannabis became more favorable in later years (following legalization), particularly among those who did not use cannabis. Most young adults were also keen to purchase cannabis from a government-owned store before legalization. However, with the exception of past-month consumers, this preference decreased substantially following legalization.

Conclusions

The current research adds to the knowledge base about changes in cannabis-related attitudes and use after legalization and focuses on a key population - young adults.

Gone with the weed: incidents of adolescent marijuana use in the United States, 1976-2021

PURPOSE

This study sought to examine grouped and right-censored (GRC) counts of adolescent marijuana use and estimate its temporal trajectories and sociodemographic disparities over almost half a century.

METHODS

After compiling 46 waves of nationally representative data from the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study from 1976 to 2021 (sample size = 491,348), we utilized an innovative modified Poisson (mixture) approach to analyze past-year marijuana use quantified by GRC counts.

RESULTS

The overall reduction in incidence rates of marijuana use was attributable to an almost 40% reduction in the risk of marijuana use (with the proportion of at-risk adolescents at 51.36% in 1979 and 31.53% in 2021). Despite substantial changes over the study period, the recent incidence rates for at-risk individuals were similar to those in the early 1980s. Living in an intact family was a protective factor against adolescent marijuana use over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rates of marijuana use among at-risk students, especially those from disadvantaged families, remained high over the study period. The modified Poisson (mixture) approach serves as the preferred tool for modeling GRC responses. It is essential to distinguish among risk, at-risk incidence, and overall incidence when assessing substance use and other risky behaviors.

Recreational marijuana legalization and marijuana and alcohol co-use among adolescents: Differential associations among racial and ethnic groups

We examined associations of the 2016 legalization of recreational marijuana (RML) in California with marijuana and alcohol co-use among race/ethnic groups using successive cross-sections from 7th, 9th, and 11th graders (N = 3,319,329) in the 2010-11 to 2018-19 California Healthy Kids Surveys. Multilevel logistic regressions indicated a stronger positive association between RML and co-use among non-Hispanic/Latine White youth (OR = 1.21) relative to Hispanic/Latine (OR = 1.02) or Black youth (OR = 0.85). Among drinkers who had not consumed five or more drinks on any occasion in the past 30-days (non-heavy drinkers), the positive association between RML and co-use was stronger among American Indian/Alaska Native youth (OR = 2.19) compared to non-Hispanic/Latine Whites (OR = 1.56). For heavier drinkers it was stronger for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (OR = 1.47). Among marijuana users, there was a stronger inverse association between RML and co-use among Black youth (OR = 0.72) compared to non-Hispanic/Latine White youth (OR = 0.84). RML may increase the risk of co-use to a greater extent among non-Hispanic/Latine White youth than other race/ethnic groups in California, but broadly increases the risk among youth who engage in alcohol use or heavy drinking.

E-cigarettes may serve as a gateway to conventional cigarettes and other addictive drugs

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices that allow the user to inhale nicotine in a vapor, and are primarily marketed as a means of quitting smoking and a less harmful replacement for traditional cigarette smoking. However, further research is needed to determine if vaping nicotine via e-cigarettes can be effective. Conversely, nicotine has been considered a gateway drug to alcohol and other addictive drugs and e-cigarettes containing nicotine may have the same effects. Previous reports have shown that e-cigarette use may open the gate for the use of other drugs including conventional cigarettes, cannabis, opioids, etc. The increasing prevalence of e-cigarettes, particularly among youth and adolescents in the last decade have led to an increase in the dual use of e-cigarettes with alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit drug use like heroin and 3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The advent of e-cigarettes as a device to self-administer addictive agents such as cocaine and synthetic cathinones may bring about additional adverse health effects associated with their concurrent use. This review aims to briefly describe e-cigarettes and their different generations, and their co-use with other addictive drugs as well as the use of the device as a tool to self-administer addictive drugs, such as cocaine, etc.

Gender and ethnic disparities in students' perceptions of how different groups of persons suspected of possessing and/or selling illegal drugs are treated in the criminal justice system

Ethnic minorities and individuals of low socioeconomics status are disproportionately more likely to be detained, arrested, and convicted and receive longer sentences for drug offenses. This article explores gender and ethnic differentials among college students' perceptions on the criminal justice treatment of different gender, ethnic, and income groups applied to alleged drug offenders. It uses survey data provided by students at a large public university in South Florida. A two-way classification model examines the nature of disparities in perceptions. Students perceive widespread ethnic inequalities and female and Black students perceive greater disparities in the criminal justice system for all disadvantaged groups.

Drug Legalization, Elite Support, and Government Effectiveness in Latin America

In Latin America, the legalization of drugs—where it occurred—has been driven mainly by elites, although much attention has been placed on public opinion. Considering that efforts toward legalization have been top-down, analysis should concentrate on opinions of the governing elites. To undertake such an analysis, we draw on data from surveys conducted in 18 Latin American parliaments (2012–2018), and we examine elite perspectives on the legalization of all drugs. Results from a Bayesian hierarchical logistic analysis show that in countries where the government is less effective, and where public health problems persist, legislators are less likely to support legalization. We argue that this is due to a lack of trust by MPs in legalization as a solution to trafficking. Wherever those concerned with drug trafficking see the current government as problematic, they will be less likely to support so challenging and complex a policy as drug legalization.

Attitudes about and correlates of cannabis legalization policy among U.S. young adults

OBJECTIVE

Cannabis policies are rapidly evolving in the US. This study's purpose was to examine relationships between cannabis harm perceptions, substance use, and demographic characteristics on attitudes toward cannabis policies.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 619 undergraduate students in a Mid-Atlantic state where cannabis use was illegal.

METHODS

In 2016, participants completed a cross-sectional survey. Multinomial logistic regressions tested associations between attitudes toward cannabis policies (recreational cannabis use, use in private, or public) while controlling for harm perceptions, substance use, and demographics.

RESULTS

The majority (64%) of participants supported recreational cannabis legalization, while 78% supported private and 29% supported public use. Perceiving cannabis as less harmful and current cannabis use were positively associated with supporting all three cannabis policies.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight diversity of young adults' opinions regarding specific cannabis policies and underscore relationships between cannabis use behaviors, harm perceptions, and support for legalization that may inform policy making and prevention efforts.

Concurrent E-cigarette and marijuana use and health-risk behaviors among U.S. high school students

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and marijuana remain prevalent problems among adolescents nationwide. We assessed current (past 30-day) exclusive e-cigarette use, exclusive marijuana use, and concurrent use with unintentional injury and violent behaviors, alcohol and other drug use behaviors, and sexual behaviors among U.S. high school students. We analyzed 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data including 12,578 high school students nationwide. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to compare these health-risk behaviors among exclusive e-cigarette users, exclusive marijuana users, and concurrent users with non-users among the overall sample, and then to compare exclusive e-cigarette users and exclusive marijuana users with concurrent users among current users only. All models adjusted for adolescent sex, grade, and race/ethnicity, and other tobacco product use. Approximately 77% of students were non-users, 5.2% were exclusive e-cigarette users, 9.9% were exclusive marijuana users, and 7.8% were concurrent users. Compared to non-users, exclusive e-cigarette users and exclusive marijuana users were more likely to engage in most negative health-risk behaviors associated with unintentional injuries and violence, alcohol and other drug use, and sexual behaviors. Among current users only, exclusive e-cigarette users and exclusive marijuana users were at reduced odds of engaging in most of these health-risk behaviors when compared to concurrent users of both substances. The relationship between exclusive and concurrent e-cigarette and marijuana use and health-risk behaviors highlights the importance of comprehensive educational efforts during high school. Findings suggest need for more studies on influence of e-cigarette and marijuana use on injury and violence risk among youth.

Recreational Marijuana Legalization and Use Among California Adolescents: Findings From a Statewide Survey

OBJECTIVE

The legalization of recreational marijuana use and retail sales raises concerns about possible effects on marijuana use among adolescents. We evaluated the effects of recreational marijuana legalization (RML) in California in November 2016 on use among adolescents and investigated subgroup differences in these effects.

METHOD

We analyzed data from successive cross-sectional samples of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students (N = 3,330,912) who participated in the California Healthy Kids Survey from 2010-2011 to 2018-2019. Participants reported grade, sex, ethnicity, race, and lifetime and past-30-day marijuana use.

RESULTS

Multilevel analyses showed that RML was associated with increases in the likelihood of lifetime (odds ratio = 1.18, 95% CI [1.15, 1.21], p < .01) and past-30-day marijuana use (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% CI [1.20, 1.26], p < .01) relative to previous downward trends. RML was more strongly associated with increases in prevalence of marijuana use among 7th versus 9th and 11th graders, females versus males, non-Hispanic versus Hispanic youth, and White versus African American, American Indian/Native Alaskan, and multiracial youth. Overall, RML was not significantly associated with frequency of past-30-day use among users, although stronger positive associations between RML and frequency of use were found for 11th graders, Asian Americans, and African Americans. The association was weaker for females.

CONCLUSIONS

RML in California was associated with an increase in adolescent marijuana use in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Demographic subgroup differences in these associations were observed. Evidence-based prevention programs and greater local control on retail marijuana sales may help to reduce marijuana availability and use among adolescents.

Using the pharmacy retail model to examine perceptions and biases of a UK population sample towards regulation of specific psychoactive drugs

Background:

Contemporary research indicates that the legal classifications of cannabis (Schedule 2, Class B), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (Schedule 1, Class A) and psilocybin (Schedule 1, Class A) in the United Kingdom are not entirely based on considerations of harm and therapeutic utility. The legal classifications of the substances discussed are typically determined by legislators such as Parliament and, therefore, may be a reflection of the views or perceived views of the general public.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to provide an indication of the underlying psychology regarding the legislated sale of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, MDMA and psilocybin in pharmacies according to a UK general population sample.

Methods:

A sample of 105 UK nationals was selected for the survey. Participants were asked questions on perceived relative harm of the five substances. After viewing contemporary information on reported relative harm and therapeutic applications, the participants were asked questions related to using the pharmacy retail model for the sale of the substances discussed. Participants who opposed the substances being sold primarily in pharmacies were asked to explain their rationale according to a predetermined list of options for each of the five drugs. Participants were also asked whether they consider it a human right to be legally permitted to consume the substances.

Results:

The participants' perceptions of relative harm (tobacco > MDMA > psilocybin > alcohol > cannabis) were not in agreement with the relative harm reported in the literature (alcohol > tobacco > cannabis > MDMA > psilocybin). Principal objections to the currently illicit substances being legally available in pharmacies include it sending the wrong message; it feels wrong; it is too dangerous; disliking the smell of cannabis; disapproval of the people; and not liking the idea of people using psychoactive drugs for entertainment or to have mystical/religious experiences. Overall, the participants determined that being legally permitted to consume the substances discussed is an issue of relevance to human rights. A majority of the male participants concluded that being legally permitted to consume alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and Psilocybe mushrooms is a human right in contrast to the majority of female participants who solely considered alcohol consumption to be a human right.

Conclusions:

The data suggest that the legal classifications may not simply be based on considerations of harm. Misperceptions of the dangers, biases and non-health-related aversions likely contribute to the continuation of policies that do not reflect the state of scientific research.

Deconstructing prohibitionist ideology: A sociocognitive approach to understand opinions on UK drug policy and the law

BACKGROUND

There is increasing support to include people who use drugs (PWUD) into debates about drug policy reform in order to improve policy legitimacy and outcomes. The aim of this paper is thus to critically analyse the perspectives of PWUD on UK drug policy and the law. This is the first empirical study to apply the four philosophical positions that underpin drug policy debates: Millian liberalism, legal moralism, strict libertarianism and paternalism (MacCoun and Reuter, 2001) to understand opinions and ideology.

METHODS

Forty interviews were conducted with PWUD about the meaning of and motivation for their substance consumption and about their opinions on drug policy and the law. The responses were analysed using the sociocognitive approach pioneered by van Dijk 2014; 2015 from the field of critical discourse studies. The analysis involved connecting personal experiences, knowledge and opinions to broader values, attitudes and ideology, specifically the analysis focused upon the extent to which participants challenged or supported prohibitionist ideology.

RESULTS

The opinions of those PWUD studied were diverse and complex. There was some support for prohibition, but overwhelmingly there was resistance and challenge to it. We theorise the challenge to prohibitionist ideology on a continuum from anti-prohibition to pro-reform. Key themes from the analysis included: knowledge gaps regarding terminology; uncertainty about and lack of consideration of policy and reform; political dissonance; apprehension about public attitudes and behaviours; reform rooted in social welfare and human rights ideology; and apathy through counter-culture.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate a lack of clarity amongst some PWUD regarding drug policy and reform. Educational initiatives outlining the different reform approaches would therefore provide PWUD with invaluable knowledge and help facilitate their enagement into reform debates. Despite a lack of clarity and consistency within opinions, participants were united in their discussion of human rights, health, economics and education; therefore these topics could help frame future approaches that seek to include PWUD into debates about drug policy.

Understanding Public Attitudes Toward Cannabis Legalization: Qualitative Findings From a Statewide Survey

BACKGROUND

Cannabis policy is rapidly evolving in the United States as more states legalize medical and non-medical marijuana. Public opinion has shifted dramatically in favor of marijuana legalization.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the reasons that people support, oppose, or are unsure about marijuana legalization, focusing on the participants' own words.

METHODS

A statewide sample of adults (N = 2,608) in Michigan completed an online survey about marijuana legalization (August and September 2016). Participants indicated whether they supported, opposed, or were unsure about marijuana legalization, and were then prompted to complete an open-ended response explaining the main reasons for their view. Thematic analysis was then used to code the open-ended responses (n = 2,054) and analytic induction was used to evaluate the coding.

RESULTS

48.1% of the sample supported cannabis legalization, 41.9% were opposed to legalization, and 10% were unsure. Harms associated with marijuana use were the most commonly given reasons for opposing legalization. Those who supported legalization were most likely to state that marijuana is less dangerous than other substances and has medical benefits. They also cited criminal justice reform and the potential for tax revenue as potential benefits of legalization. Reasons for supporting and opposing legalization differed based on gender, age, and recent marijuana use. Conclusions/Importance: Findings highlight nuances in public attitudes toward cannabis legalization. Many who support cannabis legalization recognize some potential negative consequences of these policy changes. Understanding views of cannabis is important as policies for marijuana use and sales become less restrictive.

A Qualitative Investigation Comparing Psychosocial and Physical Sexual Experiences Related to Alcohol and Marijuana Use among Adults

Alcohol and marijuana are two of the most prevalent psychoactive substances and each may result in distinct psychosocial and physical sexual experiences and different sexual risk behaviors. With marijuana becoming more accepted in the US along with more liberal state-level policies, it is important to examine and compare users' psychosocial and physical sexual experiences and sexual risk behavior associated with these drugs. In this study, we interviewed 24 adults who recently used marijuana before sex. Participants were 50 % female and all self-identified as heterosexual and HIV-negative. Using thematic analysis, we compared self-reported psychosocial and physical sexual experiences of alcohol and marijuana. Participants described differences between drugs with regard to psychosocial (e.g., partner interactions and contexts before sex, partner choice, perceived attractiveness of self and others, disinhibition, and feelings of regret after sex) and physical sexual experiences (e.g., sexual dysfunction, dose effects, sensations of body/sex organs, length and intensity of sex, and orgasm). Alcohol use was commonly associated with social outgoingness and use facilitated connections with potential sexual partners; however, alcohol was more likely than marijuana to lead to atypical partner choice or post-sex regret. Both alcohol and marijuana had a variety of negative sexual effects, and the illegality of marijuana reportedly facilitated intimate encounters. While sexual experiences tended to be similar across males and females, we did find some variation by gender. Results can inform prevention and harm reduction programming that will allow us to design more realistic programs and to craft interventions, which guide potential users to make safer choices.

Provider Perspectives on Use of Medical Marijuana in Children With Cancer

BACKGROUND

Although medical marijuana (MM) may have utility in the supportive care of children with serious illness, it remains controversial. We investigated interdisciplinary provider perspectives on legal MM use in children with cancer.

METHODS

We sent a 32-item, cross-sectional survey to 654 pediatric oncology providers in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington characterizing MM practices, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers. Forty-eight percent responded; 44% (n = 288) were included in analyses. Providers were stratified by status as legally eligible to certify (ETC) for MM. We used Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for group comparisons.

RESULTS

The provider median age was 35 years (range 22-70 years); 33% were ETC (83 physicians; 13 Washington state advance practice providers). Thirty percent of providers received ≥1 request for MM in the previous month. Notably, only 5% of all providers knew state-specific regulations. ETC providers were more likely to know that MM is against federal laws (P < .0001). Whereas most providers (92%) reported willingness to help children with cancer access MM, in adjusted models, ETC providers were less likely to indicate approval of patient MM use by smoking, oral formulations, as cancer-directed therapy, or to manage symptoms (P < .005 for all). Forty-six percent of all providers cited the absence of standards around formulations, potency, or dosing to be the greatest barrier to recommending MM.

CONCLUSIONS

Most pediatric oncology providers are willing to consider MM use in children with cancer and receive frequent inquiries. However, ETC providers endorse less favorable attitudes overall. The absence of standards is an important barrier to recommending MM.

Demographic trends among older cannabis users in the United States, 2006-13

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The ageing US population is providing an unprecedented population of older adults who use recreational drugs. We aimed to estimate the trends in the prevalence of past-year use of cannabis, describe the patterns and attitudes and determine correlates of cannabis use by adults age 50 years and older.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey from 2006 to 2013, a cross-sectional survey given to a nationally representative probability sample of populations living in US households.

SETTING

USA.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 47 140 survey respondents aged ≥ 50 years.

MEASURES

Estimates and trends of past-year use of cannabis.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of past-year cannabis use among adults aged ≥ 50 increased significantly from 2006/07 to 2012/13, with a 57.8% relative increase for adults aged 50-64 (linear trend P < 0.001) and a 250% relative increase for those aged ≥ 65 (linear trend P = 0.002). When combining data from 2006 to 2013, 6.9% of older cannabis users met criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence, and the majority of the sample reported perceiving no risk or slight risk associated with monthly cannabis use (85.3%) or weekly use (79%). Past-year users were more likely to be younger, male, non-Hispanic, not have multiple chronic conditions and use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs compared with non-past-year cannabis users.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of cannabis use has increased significantly in recent years among US adults aged ≥ 50 years.

Self-reported use of novel psychoactive substances in a US nationally representative survey: Prevalence, correlates, and a call for new survey methods to prevent underreporting

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increase in emergence and use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the US and worldwide. However, there is little published epidemiological survey data estimating the prevalence of use in the US.

METHOD

Data on self-reported NPS use came from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2009-2013), a national representative sample of non-institutionalized individuals in the US. Subjects were asked to provide names of (non-traditional) drugs they used that they were not specifically asked about. We examined lifetime prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of self-reported use of new and uncommon synthetic drugs (NPS) among subjects ages 12-34-years-old.

RESULTS

1.2% of subjects self-reported any use of the 57 NPS we examined. Use of psychedelic tryptamines (primarily DMT) was most common, followed by psychedelic phenethylamines (e.g., 2C series) and synthetic cannabinoids. Prevalence of self-reported use of NPS increased from 2009 to 2013 and use was most common among males, whites, older subjects, those of lower income, and among those residing in cities. Lifetime use of various other illicit drugs (e.g., LSD, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA) was highly prevalent among NPS users.

CONCLUSION

This the first study reporting on use of a variety of NPS in a nationally representative US sample; however, use appears to be underreported as other national data suggest higher rates of NPS (e.g., synthetic cannabinoid) use. Developing more adaptable survey tools and systematically assessing NPS use would allow researchers to ask about hundreds of NPS and improve reporting as new drugs continue to rapidly emerge.

Past 15-year trends in adolescent marijuana use: Differences by race/ethnicity and sex

BACKGROUND

The potential for increases in adolescent marijuana use is an important concern given recent changes in marijuana policy. The purpose of this study was to estimate trends in marijuana use from 1999 to 2013 among a national sample of US high school students. We examine changes over time by race/ethnicity and sex.

METHODS

Data are from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which involves biennial, school-based surveys that generate nationally representative data about 9th-12th grade students in the United States. Students self-reported sex, race/ethnicity, and marijuana use (i.e., lifetime use, past 30-day use, any use before age 13). We generated national estimates of the prevalence of marijuana use for the time period, and also tested for linear and quadratic trends (n=115,379).

RESULTS

The prevalence of lifetime marijuana use decreased modestly from 1999 to 2009 (44% to 37%), and has increased slightly since 2009 (41%). Other marijuana use variables (e.g., past 30-day use) followed a similar pattern over time. The prevalence of past 30-day use from 1999 to 2013 for all groups and both sexes was 22.5%, and it was lowest among Asians and highest among American Indian/Alaska Natives. Although boys have historically had a higher prevalence of marijuana use, results indicate that male-female differences in marijuana use decreased over time.

CONCLUSION

Despite considerable changes in state marijuana policies over the past 15 years, marijuana use among high school students has largely declined. Continued surveillance is needed to assess the impact of policy changes on adolescent marijuana use.

Reasons for recent marijuana use in relation to use of other illicit drugs among high school seniors in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Studies show that illicit cannabis (marijuana) use is related to use of other illicit drugs and that reasons for use are related to frequency of marijuana use. However, research is needed to examine whether specific reasons for marijuana use are associated with use of other illicit drugs.

METHODS

Data from recent marijuana-using high school seniors were examined from 12 cohorts of Monitoring the Future (Weighted n = 6481) to examine whether reasons for recent marijuana use are associated with use of eight other illicit drugs.

RESULTS

Using "to experiment" decreased odds of reporting use of each drug and using to decrease effects of other drugs increased odds of reporting use of each drug. In multivariable models, using marijuana "to experiment" decreased the odds for reporting use of hallucinogens other than LSD and narcotics other than heroin. Using marijuana for "insight" increased the odds for use of hallucinogens other than LSD, and use due to "boredom" increased the odds for reporting use of powder cocaine and hallucinogens other than LSD. Using marijuana to increase effects of other drugs increased odds of reporting use of each of the eight drugs, and using it to decrease other drug effects increased odds of reporting use of crack, hallucinogens other than LSD, and amphetamine/stimulants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study helped identify illicit marijuana users who are more likely to report use of other illicit drugs. Prevention efforts need to focus on students who report certain reasons for marijuana use as they may be at risk for use of other illicit drugs.

Prevalence and correlates of hashish use in a national sample of high school seniors in the United States

BACKGROUND

Cannabis (marijuana) use and acceptance towards use are increasing in the US, and state-level policies are becoming more liberal. A wealth of research has been conducted to examine risk factors for use; however, studies rarely differentiate between different forms of marijuana.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine prevalence of use and delineate who is at risk for use of hashish, a more potent form of marijuana.

METHODS

We examined data from a nationally representative sample of high school seniors in the Monitoring the Future study (2007-2011; weighted n = 10 597). We determined how sociodemographic factors and reasons for marijuana use correlated with recent (12 month) hashish use.

RESULTS

Prevalence of recent hashish use was 6.5% and it was used by 18.3% of recent marijuana users. Hashish and other marijuana use tended to share many of the same correlates; however, associations were often stronger for hashish use. Females were consistently at low risk for use and users of other drugs were consistently at high risk for use. Black students tended to be at low risk for hashish use. Low risk of identifying as Hispanic or religious and high risk of higher personal income or going out more evenings per week for fun disappeared when controlling for other drug use. Using marijuana because the student felt he/she was "hooked" nearly doubled the odds for hashish use.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first national study to examine prevalence and correlates of hashish use. These findings can inform prevention in a time of increasing popularity of marijuana use.