Abstract
BackgroundDifferences in access to medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and their associations with intentions to use cannabis have not yet been examined among young adults. This study compares the associations between densities of medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and young adults’ intentions to use cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine products. Racial/ethnic differences in these associations were examined.MethodsYoung adults ages 18–23 (mean age = 20.9) in Los Angeles County were surveyed online in 2018 after the legalization of recreational cannabis (n = 604). Multiple linear regressions were estimated for the entire sample and stratified by race/ethnicity. Outcomes were intentions to use cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine in the next 6 months. Density was measured as the number of medical cannabis dispensaries (MCDs), recreational cannabis retailers (RCRs), and outlets of any type within 5 miles of respondents’ homes.ResultsLiving near more outlets of any type was not significantly associated with intentions to use in the full sample, adjusting for individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics. However, race/ethnicity-stratified models indicated that living near more outlets of any type and more RCRs were significantly associated with stronger co-use intentions among white young adults. Higher MCD density was marginally associated with stronger co-use intentions among Asian young adults. However, higher MCD density was significantly associated with lower intentions to use e-cigarettes among Hispanic young adults.ConclusionsThe results suggest racial/ethnic differences in the impact of living near cannabis outlets on intentions to use. Prevention efforts targeting young adults who live near more cannabis outlets may be especially beneficial for white and Asian young adults.
Highlights
Differences in access to medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and their associations with intentions to use cannabis have not yet been examined among young adults
Aim of the present study This study focused on a sample of young people ages 18 to 23 in Los Angeles (L.A.) County, surveyed in 2018, to compare the associations between the density of recreational cannabis retailers (RCRs) and medical cannabis dispensaries (MCDs) in one’s neighborhood and individual-level intentions to use e-cigarettes, cannabis, or cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine products, and whether differences exist by race/ethnicity
Interaction terms showed that Asian young adults had a significantly larger magnitude of association between higher MCD density and stronger intentions to use e-cigarettes compared to white young adults, and Hispanic young adults had smaller magnitudes of association betwen higher density of all outlets and RCRs and lower intentions to co-use cannabis with tobacco/ nicotine compared to white young adults
Summary
Differences in access to medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and their associations with intentions to use cannabis have not yet been examined among young adults. This study compares the associations between densities of medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and young adults’ intentions to use cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine products. It is important to understand the implications of recreational cannabis access on intentions to use cannabis, which is a key predictor of future use (Andrews and Peterson 2006). This issue is relevant to young adults. The first aim of this study is to examine how the density of recreational cannabis retailers (RCRs) near where young adults live is associated with their future intentions to use cannabis
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