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Albers L, Rogers CJ, Steinberg J, Vos RO, Soto D, Lee R, Wu JS, Unger JB. Proximity to Cannabis Retailers and Recent Cannabis Use among a Diverse Sample of California Adolescents. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 59:643-650. [PMID: 38115623 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2294965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: As of May 2023, 23 states and Washington, DC have legalized the sale of cannabis for adults aged 21+, and 38 states, three territories, and D.C. have legalized medical cannabis. Exposure to cannabis retailers could increase adolescent cannabis use. Few studies have examined the impact of residential proximity to cannabis retailers on adolescent cannabis use, and previous findings are inconsistent. Methods: This study examined associations between proximity to cannabis retailers and past 30-day cannabis use. Data were from Project Cal Teens, a statewide survey of California adolescents regarding cannabis-related opinions/behaviors (N = 1406, mean age = 15.5 years, 48% female, 38% Hispanic/Latinx, 33% White, 15% Asian/Pacific Islander, 10% Black/African American, 5% Other/Multiracial). Participants were recruited via schools/social media in 2018-2020. Results: For every additional 5 driving miles to the nearest cannabis retailer, the risk of past 30-day cannabis use was reduced by 3.6% [IRR: 0.964; 95% CI: 0.935-0.994]. For every additional 5 miles from a licensed retailer, the risk of past 30-day cannabis use was reduced by 4.3% [IRR: 0.957; 95% CI: 0.926-0.989]. Interaction analyses revealed that among Hispanic/Latinx students, every 5 miles from a licensed retailer was associated with an 11.9% reduction in the risk of past 30-day cannabis use [IRR: 0.881; 95% CI: 0.820-0.945]. Conclusions: As the number of cannabis retailers in the U.S. increases with the continued legalization of adult cannabis use, research examining the effects of these policies on underage use is crucial. Interventions could include enforcement of zoning laws in/near residential areas to reduce accessibility of adolescents to cannabis retailers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Albers
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J Rogers
- Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane Steinberg
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert O Vos
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jasmine Siyu Wu
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Leatherdale ST, Amores A, Bélanger RE, Battista K, Patte KA, Jiang Y. Youth perception of difficulty accessing cannabis following cannabis legalization and during the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: repeat cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the COMPASS study. Arch Public Health 2023; 81:214. [PMID: 38102693 PMCID: PMC10724956 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01224-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very little research has examined how perceptions of cannabis access among underage youth in Canada have changed since cannabis was legalized and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this paper examines the effect of the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth perceptions of cannabis access over time since the onset of the Cannabis Act in 2018 in a large sample of Canadian youth. METHODS Using data from the COMPASS study (T1:2018/19, T2:2019/20, T3:2020/21), we used both repeat cross-sectional data [T1 (n = 38,890), T2 (n = 24,109), and T3 (n = 22,795)] to examine overall trends in perceptions of cannabis access, and sequential cohort longitudinal data [n = 4,677 students linked from T1 to T3] to examine the differential changes in perceptions of cannabis access among students over time. RESULTS In the cross-sectional sample, the frequency of students reporting that cannabis was easy to access decreased by 26.7% from T1 (51.0%) to T3 (37.4%), although respondents who have used cannabis were more likely to report access was easy. In the longitudinal sample, perceptions of cannabis access being easy increased over time, especially among cannabis users. Perceived ease of access appears to have been slightly impeded during the initial pandemic period but rebounded during the ongoing pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS While the prevalence of youth reporting that cannabis is easy to access has declined since legalization and throughout the early and ongoing pandemic periods, a substantial number of underage youth continue to report that cannabis is easy to access. This suggest that there is an ongoing need for continued cannabis control efforts to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott T Leatherdale
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Angelica Amores
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Richard E Bélanger
- VITAM - Centre de Recherche en Santé Durable, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Kate Battista
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Karen A Patte
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catherines, Canada
| | - Ying Jiang
- Applied Research Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
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3
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Salas-Wright CP. Risk, resilience, and thriving among racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations at-risk for substance use disorders. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:1-7. [PMID: 34932401 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1995403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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Waddell JT. Age-varying time trends in cannabis- and alcohol-related risk perceptions 2002-2019. Addict Behav 2022; 124:107091. [PMID: 34461500 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol- and cannabis-related risk perceptions are strong predictors of use behavior. Studies suggest that attitudes toward cannabis are becoming increasingly permissive, however studies have yet to comprehensively a) compare time trends in cannabis-related attitudes to those of other commonly used substances, such as alcohol, and b) test whether trends significantly differ by age. METHOD Public access data from the National Study on Drug Use and Health from 2002 to 2019 were used (N = 1,005,421). Structural Equation Models tested whether study year (linear trend), was associated with alcohol- and cannabis-related risk perceptions (correlated outcomes), and whether age (adolescence [12-17], emerging adulthood [18-25], adulthood [26-35], middle adulthood [36-49], and older adulthood [50+]) moderated time trends. Sex, race/ethnicity, and use frequency were covaried. RESULTS The linear trend of study year was associated with decreased cannabis-related risk perceptions (p < .001). There was also a significant interaction of age by study year for cannabis-related risk perceptions, such that adults, emerging adults, and middle adults had the largest decrease in attitudes over time. For alcohol-related risk perceptions, the linear trend of study year was significantly associated with increased risk perceptions (p = .001), but the interaction of time by age was non-significant; alcohol-related effects were extremely small (b < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that cannabis-related risk perceptions are becoming more permissive with time across ages, but particularly in adults, emerging adults, and middle adults. In contrast, alcohol-related risk perceptions have stayed relatively stable over time, with only negligible increases. Findings underscore the importance of targeting permissive cannabis-related attitudes via prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack T Waddell
- Arizona State University, 900 S McAllister, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
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5
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Levy NS, Mauro PM, Mauro CM, Segura LE, Martins SS. Joint perceptions of the risk and availability of Cannabis in the United States, 2002-2018. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108873. [PMID: 34275699 PMCID: PMC8478130 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior work suggests that perceived risk and perceived availability of cannabis independently affect cannabis use. However, perceived risk likely modifies the effect of perceived availability, and vice versa. This study explored trends in joint perceived risk and availability of cannabis from 2002 to 2018 and the relationship between combined perceptions and cannabis use, frequent use, and cannabis use disorder (CUD). METHODS National Surveys on Drug Use and Health data (n = 949,285, ages 12+) were used to create combined categories of perceived risk of weekly cannabis use and perceived cannabis availability. Descriptive analyses compared joint perceived risk/availability trends (pre/post-2015 due to survey redesign) overall and stratified by age, gender, past-year cannabis use, frequent use, and CUD. Regression analysis estimated associations between perceived risk/availability and cannabis outcomes. RESULTS From 2002 to 2018, the prevalence of perceiving cannabis as low-risk doubled while perceiving cannabis as available remained unchanged. The proportion of individuals perceiving cannabis as Low-risk/Available increased by 86% from 2002 to 2014 (16.8%-31.2%) and 19% from 2015 to 2018 (30.1%-35.8%) while High-risk/Available and High-risk/Unavailable proportions declined. Differing patterns were observed by age and gender. Compared with individuals perceiving cannabis as High-risk/Unavailable, people in all other perception categories had greater risk of all cannabis outcomes. Results were consistent with additive interaction between perceived risk and availability in their effects on cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS Trends and associations with cannabis outcomes differ when considering perceived risk and availability independently versus jointly. Longitudinal studies and cannabis policy evaluations would advance understanding of links between cannabis perceptions and use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S Levy
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Pia M Mauro
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christine M Mauro
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Luis E Segura
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silvia S Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
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6
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Vaughn MG, Salas-Wright CP, Alsolami AS, Oh S, Goings TC. Margin for error: examining racial and ethnic trends in adolescent risk propensity. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2021; 56:993-1002. [PMID: 33462735 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02026-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relatively little research has accrued examining risk propensity across racial and ethnic groups, especially across time and at the population level. AIMS Using a margin for error framework to conceptualize risk variation among major racial and ethnic groups, we hypothesize that African American and Hispanic adolescents will be less likely to report engaging in dangerous risk taking acts compared to White adolescents. METHODS This study examines public-use data collected on risk propensity and risky behaviors among adolescents 12-17 between 2002 and 2018 as part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). RESULTS While we observed decreased trends in risk propensity, controlling for demographic factors, we see significantly greater odds of reporting "never" engaging in risk for fun among NH Black (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.85-2.18) and Hispanic youth (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.37-1.58) as compared to NH White youth. NH Black (AOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.89) and Hispanic (AOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.98) youth are also less likely than NH White youth to report "always" taking risks for fun. Moreover, the risk propensity-risky behaviors link was weaker among African American and Hispanic adolescents. CONCLUSIONS We find compelling evidence that African American and Hispanic adolescents are less likely to endorse deriving positive reinforcement from potentially dangerous risk taking acts compared to White adolescents. These findings suggest that African American and Hispanic youth may perceive less "margin for error" when navigating their environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, 63103, USA. .,Department of Special Education, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Abdulaziz S Alsolami
- Department of Special Education, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sehun Oh
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Trenette Clark Goings
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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7
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Marijuana Use, Sexual Behaviors, and Prevalent Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Sexually Experienced Males and Females in the United States: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 47:672-678. [PMID: 32936602 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several national guidelines consider illicit drug use as an indication for testing and/or counseling for some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The legal and social landscape of marijuana use is changing, and its relevance with STI risk is unclear. METHODS Sex-specific prevalence of T. vaginalis and/or C. trachomatis infection was examined by past-year marijuana use (no vs yes) among 2958 sexually experienced, 20- to 39-year-old participants of the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] were estimated by Poisson regression. Adjusted PRs (aPR) were estimated following propensity score covariate-adjustment accounting for sociodemographics, alcohol use, injection drug use, depression, and age at sexual debut. RESULTS Past-year marijuana use was reported by 27.3% and 36.3% of females and males, respectively. Male and female past-year marijuana users were more likely to have new and multiple sexual partners in the past year (P < 0.05). Past-year marijuana use was associated with prevalent C. trachomatis and/or T. vaginalis infection among females (7.4% vs. 2.9%; PR, 2.57 [95% CI, 1.62-4.07]) and males (4.0% vs. 1.1%; PR, 3.59 [95% CI, 1.96-6.58]), but this association was attenuated after propensity score covariate adjustment among females (aPR, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.72-1.83]) and males (aPR, 2.10 [95% CI, 0.88-5.02]). Additional adjustment for new or multiple sexual partners further attenuated the associations (aPRs, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.65-1.51] and 1.91 [95% CI, 0.82-4.47] for females and males, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Sexually transmitted infection prevalence was higher among persons with a past-year history of marijuana use; however, this association was not significant after accounting for measured confounders. Additional work is needed to characterize STI prevalence by the mode, duration, and frequency of marijuana use.
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8
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Lenk KM, Wiens T, Fabian LEA, Erickson DJ. Practices and policies of marijuana retail stores in the first two US states to legalize recreational marijuana sales. DRUGS: EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND POLICY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2020.1822781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. Lenk
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Terra Wiens
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lindsey E. A. Fabian
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Darin J. Erickson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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9
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Cabanillas-Rojas W. Prevalence and Gender-Specific Predictors for the Use of Marijuana in the General Population of the Metropolitan Area of Lima, Peru: an Analysis of Contextual and Individual Factors. Int J Ment Health Addict 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-019-00195-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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10
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Azagba S, Shan L, Latham K. A Trend Analysis of Age of First Marijuana Use Among High School Students in the United States From 1991 to 2017. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2019; 47:302-310. [PMID: 31782323 DOI: 10.1177/1090198119889652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. There has been a rapidly changing marijuana policy environment and increased acceptability related to marijuana in the United States. How the changing environment will potentially influence adolescents age of initiation remains unknown. While much of extant literature has primarily focused on current marijuana use, less is known about age of first use. This study examined trends in adolescents' age of first marijuana use in the United States. Method. Data were drawn from the 1991 to 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We used linear regression for age of first use as a continuous variable, and logistic regression for marijuana use before the age of 15 years as a dichotomous variable. Joinpoint regression analysis identified where significant changes in trend occurred. Results. Results showed that the mean age of first marijuana use increased significantly between 1991 and 2017. Males had a younger age of first use than females. Between 1991 and 1997, there was an increasing trend in the prevalence of marijuana use before the age of 15 years in all adolescents and in subgroups for males, females, all races, and 9th and 10th grades. After 1997, a significant downward trend was found in all adolescents. Conclusions. Our results do not indicate an overall decreasing trend of age of first use among the general adolescent population. Results show a downward trend in the use of marijuana before the age of 15 years since 1997.
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11
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Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 201:115-126. [PMID: 31207452 PMCID: PMC7075484 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Amid changing marijuana policies in the Southern Cone, we examined relationships between marijuana-related risk factors and marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2001 to 2016. METHODS Using cross-sectional surveys from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders and weighted time-varying effect models, we estimated associations between perceived risk (no/low risk versus moderate/great risk) and perceived availability (easy/very easy versus difficult/very difficult/not able to obtain) of marijuana, and any past-month marijuana use. RESULTS In all countries, marijuana use increased over time and adolescents who perceived no/low risk and easy availability had higher odds of use. In Argentina, the bivariate risk/use association weakened from 2001 (OR = 15.24, 95%CI = 9.63, 24.12) to 2004 [OR = 3.86 (2.72, 5.48)] and strengthened until 2011 [OR = 8.22 (7.56, 10.30)]; the availability/use association strengthened from 2005 [OR = 5.32 (4.05, 6.98)] to 2009 [OR = 20.77 (15.57, 27.70)] and weakened until 2014 [OR = 11.00 (9.11, 13.27)]. In Chile, the risk/use association weakened from 2001 [OR = 7.22 (6.57, 7.95)] to 2015 [OR = 5.58 (4.82, 6.48)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2001 [OR = 5.92 (4.96, 7.06)] to 2015 [OR = 4.10 (3.15, 5.34)]. In Uruguay, the risk/use association weakened from 2003 [OR = 34.22 (22.76, 51.46)] to 2016 [OR = 6.23 (4.96, 7.83)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2005 [OR = 29.13 (13.39, 63.39) to 2007 [OR = 9.42 (3.85, 23.07)], and strengthened until 2016 [OR = 22.68 (12.03, 42.76)]. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the association between risk and use weakened in all countries, suggesting risk perceptions became a weaker determinant of marijuana use. Perceived availability remained strongly associated with use and may become an increasingly important driver of use (particularly in Uruguay and Argentina).
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Clark Goings T, Salas-Wright CP, Belgrave FZ, Nelson EJ, Harezlak J, Vaughn MG. Trends in binge drinking and alcohol abstention among adolescents in the US, 2002-2016. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 200:115-123. [PMID: 31121494 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge drinking accounts for several adverse health, social, legal, and academic outcomes among adolescents. Understanding trends and correlates of binge drinking and alcohol abstention has important implications for policy and programs and was the aim of this study. The current study examined trends in adolescent binge drinking and alcohol abstention by age, gender, and race/ethnicity over a 15-year period. METHODS Respondents between the ages of 12 and 17 years who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) between 2002 and 2016 were included in the sample of 258,309. Measures included binge drinking, alcohol abstention, and co-morbid factors (e.g., marijuana, other illicit drugs), and demographic factors. RESULTS Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the significance of trend changes by sub-groups while controlling for co-morbid and demographic factors. Findings indicated that binge drinking decreased substantially among adolescents in the US over the last 15 years. This decrease was shown among all age, gender, and racial/ethnic groups. In 2002, Year 1 of the study, 26% of 17-year-olds reported past-month binge drinking; in 2016, past-month binge drinking dropped to 12%. Findings also indicated comparable increases in the proportion of youth reporting abstention from alcohol consumption across all subgroups. Black youth reported substantially lower levels of binge alcohol use and higher levels of abstention, although the gap between Black, Hispanic and White youth narrowed substantially between 2002 and 2016. CONCLUSION Study findings are consistent with those of other research showing declines in problem alcohol- use behavior among youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trenette Clark Goings
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
| | | | - Faye Z Belgrave
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284, United States
| | - Erik J Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Jaroslaw Harezlak
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Michael G Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63104, United States; Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Parental views on state cannabis laws and marijuana use for their medically vulnerable children. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 199:59-67. [PMID: 30999251 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given a rapidly changing policy landscape, we sought to characterize the effects of state marijuana laws on parents' views of marijuana use by their teenage children. METHODS Data are from 595 respondents to a nationally administered, web-based survey of parents of adolescents (ages 13-18 years) with any of three chronic conditions (type 1 diabetes, rheumatic disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to model the effects of parents' reports of state cannabis laws on their views toward marijuana use by their child. RESULTS While 89.9% said any marijuana use was risky for their child, 27.9% would approve of its use if prescribed as medicine. Parents reporting marijuana decriminalization (11.1%) were more amenable to teenage use, less concerned about how marijuana might impact their child's condition, more accepting of the safety of marijuana as medicine, and approved its use with a prescription. Parents reporting legal medical (35.6%) or recreational (5.7%) use were more likely to report that their child has tried or used marijuana regularly. Parents reporting legal recreational use were less likely to agree that marijuana has medical benefits for their child. CONCLUSIONS Among parents of medically vulnerable children, perceiving state marijuana policies as more permissive is strongly associated with lower perceived riskiness of marijuana use for their children. State marijuana policies are changing with implications for how parents of medically vulnerable youth view and potentially govern marijuana use by their medically vulnerable children.
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Watson TM, Valleriani J, Hyshka E, Rueda S. Cannabis legalization in the provinces and territories: missing opportunities to effectively educate youth? Canadian Journal of Public Health 2019; 110:472-475. [PMID: 31087281 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-019-00209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is now legal in Canada, yet important questions remain regarding how the provinces and territories are approaching cannabis education and messaging aimed at youth. Although widespread education and awareness campaigns are long considered cornerstones of substance use and related harm prevention, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of such campaigns. We continue to see examples of cannabis-related messaging that focus on risk and harm and often adopt a narrow view of the ways in which young people may use cannabis. This traditional risk-based messaging does not resonate with how many youth experience cannabis use. We have further observed that most provinces and territories have yet to fully reveal concrete details regarding what they are and have been planning in terms of youth engagement in the development and delivery of educational initiatives. As Canadian youth desire reliable, evidence-based educational material on cannabis, and can be credible key partners in the development of such materials, we hope that all levels of government will see the value of promoting balanced cannabis discussions and co-designing resources with youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Marie Watson
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada.
| | - Jenna Valleriani
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elaine Hyshka
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sergio Rueda
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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15
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Brooks-Russell A, Ma M, Levinson AH, Kattari L, Kirchner T, Anderson Goodell EM, Johnson RM. Adolescent Marijuana Use, Marijuana-Related Perceptions, and Use of Other Substances Before and After Initiation of Retail Marijuana Sales in Colorado (2013-2015). PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2019; 20:185-193. [PMID: 30043198 PMCID: PMC8086773 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-018-0933-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Due to the recentness of changes to marijuana policies in a number of states, the effect on adolescent use and perceptions is not yet well understood. This study examines change in adolescent marijuana use and related perceptions in Colorado, before and after the implementation of legal commercial sale of recreational marijuana for adults starting on January 1, 2014. The data are from a repeated cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of Colorado high school students, with separately drawn samples surveyed in fall 2013 (prior to implementation) and fall 2015 (18 months after implementation). We examined change in the prevalence of adolescent marijuana use, measured by lifetime use, past 30-day use, frequent use, and use on school property. To consider the possibility of heterogeneity in the change in marijuana use, we examined change in past 30-day marijuana use by demographic characteristics (sex, grade, race/ethnicity), school characteristics (poverty, percent minority), urbanicity of the school district, and whether the city or county permitted retail marijuana stores. There was an absence of significant effects for change in lifetime or past 30-day marijuana use. Among those reporting past 30-day use, frequent use and use on school property declined. There was a significant decline in the perceived harm associated with marijuana use, but we did not find a significant effect for perceived wrongfulness, perceived ease of access, or perceived parental disapproval. We did not find significant variability in past 30-day use by demographic characteristics or by school and community factors from 2013 to 2015. We did not find a significant effect associated with the introduction of legal sales of recreational marijuana to adults in Colorado on adolescent (illegal) use, but ongoing monitoring is warranted, including consideration of heterogeneity in the effects of marijuana policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Brooks-Russell
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place B119, Bldg 500, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Ming Ma
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place B119, Bldg 500, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Arnold H Levinson
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place B119, Bldg 500, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Leo Kattari
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Tom Kirchner
- College of Global Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin M Anderson Goodell
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Renee M Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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Laestadius LI, Guidry JPD, Greskoviak R, Adams J. Making "Weedish Fish": An Exploratory Analysis of Cannabis Recipes on Pinterest. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:2191-2197. [PMID: 31298112 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1638410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: The expansion of legalized medical and recreational cannabis has created growing interest in cannabis infused edibles. Information about the preparation of edibles is readily available to the public on social media with little to no oversight. Objectives: To determine how recipes for cannabis edibles are promoted on the social media platform Pinterest. Methods: We performed a content analysis of 500 cannabis edible recipe pins collected in December 2017. Pins were coded for promotional content, user engagement, recipe presence and type, cannabis dosage and serving size, and presence of health and risk information. Results: A plurality of pins showed visuals of cannabis content (47.8%), and pins frequently depicted images of desserts infused with cannabis (40.0%). Almost half of all of pins (46.8%) included or linked out to a recipe for edibles, with recipes for desserts and baked goods being most common (40.0%). Cannabis dosages and serving sizes were often vague or missing, and health and safety warnings were almost entirely absent from pins. Conclusion/importance: Recipes for cannabis edibles are easily accessible through Pinterest. Information about dosage, serving size, health effects, and responsible usage are all but absent. Pins largely originate in locations where cannabis is legalized; however, content is accessible without regard to state or national borders. Public health agencies and organizations should consider publishing information about health effects and responsible usage that flow parallel to social media content promoting edibles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea I Laestadius
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee , Milwaukee , WI , USA
| | - Jeanine P D Guidry
- Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA
| | - Rebecca Greskoviak
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee , Milwaukee , WI , USA
| | - Jazzmyne Adams
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee , Milwaukee , WI , USA
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17
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Salas-Wright CP, Oh S, Vaughn MG, Muroff J, Amodeo M, Delva J. Trends and correlates of perceived access to heroin among young adults in the United States, 2002-2016. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 193:169-176. [PMID: 30384325 PMCID: PMC6239938 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We are at a unique moment in United States (US) history as heroin overdose rates are higher than at any time in recent memory. Based on prior research and the developmental risks faced by young adults (ages 18-25), we examine the trends and correlates of perceived access to heroin among this group over a 15-year period. METHODS We analyzed national trend data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2016) on young adults' (N = 247,679; ages 18-25) perceived access to heroin. We conducted logistic regression analyses with survey year specified as an independent variable and heroin access specified as the dependent variable while controlling for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS A majority of respondents reported that it would be difficult or impossible to obtain heroin, if desired. Young adult reports that it would be "probably impossible" to access heroin increased significantly from 31% in 2002 to 41% in 2016. The upward trend in the perceived lack of access was most robust among African Americans and Hispanics as well as those reporting no past-year substance use or drug/criminal justice system involvement. CONCLUSIONS In the midst of a very serious opioid epidemic, the present study found that most young adults in the US consider that it would be "probably impossible" to obtain heroin. This trend was observed across young adulthood and across gender, racial/ethnic, and family income differences. However, we found that these trends are largely driven by those at relatively low risk of drug misuse and deviant behaviors generally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sehun Oh
- Steve Hick's School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Michael G Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Jordana Muroff
- School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maryann Amodeo
- School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jorge Delva
- School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Rabinowitz JA, Musci RJ, Milam AJ, Benke K, Uhl GR, Sisto DY, Ialongo NS, Maher BS. The interplay between externalizing disorders polygenic risk scores and contextual factors on the development of marijuana use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 191:365-373. [PMID: 30195949 PMCID: PMC8005265 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Externalizing disorders have been extensively linked to substance use problems. However, less is known about whether genetic factors underpinning externalizing disorders and environmental features interact to predict substance use disorders (i.e., marijuana abuse and dependence) among urban African Americans. We examined whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) interacted with contextual factors (i.e., parental monitoring, community disadvantage) to influence risk for marijuana use disorders in a sample of African American youth. Participants (N=1,050; 44.2% male) were initially recruited for an elementary school-based universal prevention trial in a Mid-Atlantic city and followed through age 20. Participants reported on their parental monitoring in sixth grade and whether they were diagnosed with marijuana abuse or dependence at age 20. Blood or saliva samples were genotyped using the Affymetrix 6.0 microarrays. The CD and ADHD PRS were created based on genome-wide association studies conducted by Dick et al. (2010) and Demontis et al. (2017), respectively. Community disadvantage was calculated based on census data when participants were in sixth grade. There was an interaction between the CD PRS and community disadvantage such that a higher CD PRS was associated with greater risk for a marijuana use disorder at higher levels of neighborhood disadvantage. This finding should be interpreted with caution owing to the number of significance tests performed. Implications for etiological models and future research directions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A Rabinowitz
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Rashelle J Musci
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Adam J Milam
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Kelly Benke
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - George R Uhl
- New Mexico VA Healthcare System, 1501 San Pedro Drive, SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108 United States
| | - Danielle Y Sisto
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Nicholas S Ialongo
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Brion S Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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Oh S, DiNitto DM, Kim Y. Substance use and use disorders and treatment receipt among adults in families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), 2003-2014. Addict Behav 2018; 85:173-179. [PMID: 29914718 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Legalization of marijuana for medical and/or recreational use in some U.S. states has increased attention to substance use and related problems. However, little attention has been paid to these phenomena among adults in families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) whose adverse life experiences may put them at elevated risk of substance use disorders (SUDs). METHODS Data from the 2003-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were used to test trends in past-month binge drinking and past-year marijuana, other illicit drug, and any illicit drug use and to examine SUD prevalence and treatment correlates among adults in TANF families. RESULTS While rates of binge drinking and any illicit drug use remained steady, marijuana use increased from 15.8% in 2003/2004 to 21.6% in 2013/2014, a 36.7% increase. Increased marijuana use was strongly related to changes in marijuana risk perception. Among adults in TANF families, 19.5% of men and 10.8% of women had a past-year SUD, but only one in five received treatment. Those aged 18-25, Black or Hispanic women, and those who had children at home when surveyed were less likely to have received treatment. DISCUSSION Preventive efforts to address substance use, especially marijuana use, among adults in TANF families are needed. Moreover, given greater odds of unmet SUD treatment need among these economically disadvantaged adults, particularly racial/ethnic minority women and those who are in emerging adulthood, uninsured, and have children at home, measures to provide more inclusive services such as integrated behavioral health care are needed.
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Oh S, Salas-Wright CP, Vaughn MG, DiNitto DM. Marijuana use during pregnancy: A comparison of trends and correlates among married and unmarried pregnant women. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 181:229-233. [PMID: 29107787 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE While recent evidence indicates increases in marijuana use among adult women in the United States (US), important questions remain with respect to marijuana use during pregnancy. This study examines trends and correlates of prenatal marijuana use and the effects of marijuana-specific risk/protective factors on marijuana use trends using a nationally representative sample. METHOD Data were derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2014), a nationally representative survey that included 3640 married and 3987 unmarried pregnant women in the United States. The significance of marijuana use trends was tested using logistic regression analyses while adjusting for complex sampling design effects and controlling for sociodemographic and marijuana-specific factors. RESULTS From 2005-2014, marijuana use prevalence among unmarried pregnant women increased by 85% from 5.4% to 10.0% while the prevalence among married pregnant women remained stable (mostly under 1.5%). The increasing trend among unmarried pregnant women was associated with their lower disapproval and risk perceptions of marijuana use. In addition, past-year anxiety (AOR=3.30, 95% CI=1.87-5.82) and depression (AOR=3.85, 95% CI=2.33-6.36) diagnoses were linked with marijuana use among unmarried, but not married, pregnant women. DISCUSSION Increased attention should be paid to reducing prenatal marijuana use among unmarried women. Findings also suggest the need to attend to unmarried pregnant women's mental health problems as well as their physical health-risk behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehun Oh
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | | | - Michael G Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Diana M DiNitto
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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