Guttmannova K, Kosterman R, White HR, Bailey JA, Lee JO, Epstein M, Jones TM, Hawkins JD. The association between
regular marijuana use and adult mental health outcomes.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2017;
179:109-116. [PMID:
28763778 PMCID:
PMC5599346 DOI:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.06.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The present study is a prospective examination of the relationship between regular marijuana use from adolescence through young adulthood and mental health outcomes at age 33.
METHODS
Data came from a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse longitudinal panel of 808 participants from Seattle, Washington. Outcomes included symptom counts for six mental health disorders. Regular marijuana use was tracked during adolescence and young adulthood. Regression analyses controlled for demographics and early environment, behaviors, and individual risk factors.
RESULTS
Nonusers of marijuana reported fewer symptoms of alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, and generalized anxiety disorder than any category of marijuana users. More persistent regular marijuana use in young adulthood was positively related to more symptoms of cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and nicotine dependence at age 33.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the importance of avoiding regular marijuana use, especially chronic use in young adulthood. Comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts focusing on marijuana and other substance use might be particularly important in the context of recent legalization of recreational marijuana use in Washington and other U.S. states.
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