An Evaluation of the Nature of Marijuana Use and Its Motives among Young Adult Active Users

Abstract

The present investigation examined marijuana use, abuse, and dependence in relation to self-reported marijuana use behaviors and motives, as well as concurrent cigarette and problematic alcohol use among a sample of young adult current marijuana users (n = 200; 44.5% women; M(age) = 21.48, SD = 6.54). Preliminary results broadly indicated that more severe forms of marijuana use (eg, dependence) were associated with a more problematic pattern of marijuana use behavior, polysubstance use, and greater motivation to use marijuana for multiple reasons. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the underlying nature of marijuana use and its disorders among young adults.