Marijuana Attitudes Research Articles

Therapy in the Age of Legalized Marijuana: A Qualitative Study of Counselors’ Experience in Responding to Patient Marijuana Use

A qualitative phenomenological study, the lived experiences of clinicians who treat clients using marijuana pre- and post-legalization in California are explored. This study was conducted to better understand the misconceptions associated with user attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use and provide clinicians, researchers, and physicians with information on the overall physical and emotional effects of marijuana use. Since legalization, investigating attitude and belief changes was essential to understanding the impact of marijuana's accessibility on user behaviors. Participants (n=10) were licensed mental health care providers working in California who provided treatment for current or recent users of marijuana products over the last year. A 20-question open-ended interview was delivered via Zoom regarding provider experiences with client marijuana use disclosure post-legalization. A thematic analysis of qualitative data was performed. The results provide clinician insights about post-legalization marijuana attitudes and beliefs about use. Findings revealed differences in reported youth and adult-use behaviors. Reduced stigma and social acceptance of marijuana post-legislation has resulted in clients’ more clearly, openly, and honestly addressing their drug use, specifically, use behaviors associated with marijuana products. There is a need for research to further explore the attitudes and beliefs of users and how often CUD is identified and treated in clinical therapy. This study has provided the perspective of the therapy provider treating individuals who use cannabis. This study provides opportunities for further study on the legalization of marijuana, potency, and accessibility of marijuana as it pertains to the practice of clinical therapy with cannabis users as legalized use continues to increase for recreational and medicinal use.

Before and After Prohibition: Parental Communication and Modeling Associated With Emerging Adult Recreational Marijuana Attitudes and Use

Researchers have begun examining changes in recreational marijuana use among emerging adults (EAs), however, no studies have examined the influence of parents on EA children’s marijuana use due to legalization. We sought to address this gap by using a 2019 cross-sectional online survey of 404 EA students (18–25 years; M = 20.7, SD = 1.9) about their behavioral observations and conversations with parents regarding recreational marijuana legalization in a western U.S. state. Significant increases in reports of parent communication and observed use, as well as EA attitudes and use were found post-legalization. Evaluation of two structural equation models (with configural invariance versus construct-level metric invariance) suggest that the more constrained model did not fit worse and that the relationships between parent communication and modeling are significantly related to EA attitudes and use pre- and post-legalization. Results indicate that parental socialization plays an important role in recreational marijuana attitudes and use among EA children.

Effects of Recreational Marijuana Legalization on College Students: A Longitudinal Study of Attitudes, Intentions, and Use Behaviors

PurposeAs legal recreational marijuana use expands rapidly across the U.S., there is growing concern that this will lead to higher rates of use among college-aged young adults. Given the limited research addressing this issue, a longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate the effects of legalizing recreational use on the attitudes, intentions, and marijuana use behaviors of college students in two different legalization contexts, Washington State and Wisconsin. MethodsSurvey data assessing marijuana attitudes, intentions, and use behavior were collected from 2011 to 2016 on a longitudinal cohort of 338 students at two large public universities in Washington and Wisconsin. Time series analyses were conducted to evaluate postlegalization changes in ever use, 28-day use, and mean attitude and intention-to-use scores in Washington state, using Wisconsin participants as the control group. ResultsEver use, attitude, and intention-to-use scores did not change significantly more in Washington after legalization than in Wisconsin. However, among prior users, the proportion using in the last 28 days rose faster in Washington after legalization that it did in Wisconsin (p < .001). ConclusionsThe findings suggest that legalization had the greatest effects on current marijuana users, who are surrounded by a climate that is increasingly supportive of its use.

Nicotine and marijuana attitudes among flavor-only vaping youth: New evidence from Monitoring the Future

BackgroundVaping has become increasingly popular among youth and young adults in the last decade. At present, very little research has examined how vaping is associated with attitudes concerning the disapproval and perceived risk of using other substances. This paper examines the association between flavor-only vaping and attitudes concerning nicotine and marijuana use in a sample of high school students with no history of nicotine or marijuana use. MethodsWe employed negative binomial regression and logistic regression techniques to examine the associations between flavor-only vaping activity and attitudes concerning the risk and disapproval of nicotine and marijuana use utilizing data from the 2017 cohort of Monitoring the Future (MTF). ResultsThe results suggest that, net of covariates, flavor-only vaping is not significantly associated with attitudes concerning traditional forms of nicotine use. However, flavor-only vaping does appear to be positively and significantly associated with the failure to disapprove and/or perceive the risk of vaping nicotine and regular marijuana use. ConclusionsFlavor-only vaping is positively and significantly associated with the failure to disapprove and/or perceive the risk of vaping nicotine and regular marijuana use.

Social media photos of substance use and their relationship to attitudes and behaviors among ethnic and racial minority emerging adult men living in low-income areas

ObjectivesEmerging adult minority males have inequitable negative consequences from substance abuse. They are also frequent users of social media, logging into popular sites up to 25 times per week on average, so there may be opportunities to use these technologies for better understanding and preventing substance use behaviors. Through mobile phone monitoring, this study examined how social media sites are used to post substance use-related images and how posting such images is related to behaviors and attitudes. It also explored how self-presentation of masculinity norms, such as coolness and toughness, was related to posting of substance use-related photos. MethodsInstagram and/or Twitter posts of 65 minority males aged 18–25 living in low-income areas were monitored for three months using phone tracking software. Over 2200 posted images were content analyzed to determine if they were related to alcohol or marijuana and if they displayed masculinity norms. Behavioral interviewing was also used to examine alcohol and marijuana attitudes, use, and problematic use. Analyses utilized t-tests and multiple and logistic regression. ResultsMany participants posted at least one substance use-related photo and a strong majority were exposed to such images through their network. Individuals who posted substance use-related images had more “followers.” Posting substance-use related photos was related to marijuana use attitudes, behaviors, and problem behaviors, as well as depictions of toughness in photos. ConclusionsSocial media monitoring has potential for use in identifying individuals at-risk for substance abuse and those who may be perpetuating unhealthy substance use norms.

Selective invalidation of ambivalent pro-marijuana attitude components

IntroductionAttitudes of drug-abstinent youth considering marijuana initiation can be highly ambivalent. Invalidating pro-usage elements (i.e., opinions) of ambivalent marijuana attitudes, while leaving anti-marijuana elements intact, may create stronger, less ambivalent marijuana-resistant attitudes and lower usage intentions, while concurrently elucidating the role of ambivalence in persuasive prevention. MethodFrom an initial pool of marijuana-abstinent middle-school students (N = 538), the quintile expressing the most negative attitudes toward a marijuana prevention appeal (N = 101) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions designed to invalidate pro-marijuana opinions. Analyses then tested their susceptibility to a second marijuana prevention appeal. ResultsPersonally threatening messages were found ineffective, but appeals contesting resistant responses significantly decreased ambivalence (p < .01). Mediational analyses showed that this decreased ambivalence was associated with less favorable attitudes and lower marijuana usage intentions (both p < .001). An attribution-based manipulation increased ambivalence (p < .05), which was associated with positive usage intentions mediated through positive attitudes (both p < .001). ConclusionAnalyses elucidated the role of attitude ambivalence in prevention, providing a more complete understanding of potential facilitative use of ambivalence in prevention models based on prevention. Results support the further examination and use of methods that invalidate pro-marijuana opinions, thereby leading to greater susceptibility to subsequent prevention appeals.

Social mediation of persuasive media in adolescent substance prevention.

Social commentary about prevention messages may affect their likelihood of acceptance. To investigate this possibility, student participants (N = 663) viewed 3 antimarijuana advertisements, each followed immediately by videotaped discussions involving 4 adults or 4 adolescents using either extreme or moderate language in their positive commentaries. The commentaries were expected to affect participants' perceptions of the extent to which the ads were designed to control their behavior (perceived control), which was hypothesized to inhibit persuasion. Two indirect effects analyses were conducted. Marijuana attitudes and usage intentions were the outcome variables. Both analyses revealed statistically significant source by language interactions on participants' perceived control (both p < .02). Further analyses revealed significant indirect effects of language extremity on attitudes and intentions through perceived control with adult, but not peer sources (both p < .05). These perceptions were associated with more negative marijuana attitudes and diminished usage intentions when adults used moderate (vs. extreme) language in their favorable ad commentaries (both p < .05). The findings may facilitate development of more effective prevention methods that emphasize the importance of the role of perceived control in persuasion, and the impact of interpersonal communication variations on acceptance of media-transmitted prevention messages. (PsycINFO Database Record

Being Blunt About Marijuana: Parent Communication About Marijuana with Their Emerging Adult Children.

While research suggests that parents continue to influence students' marijuana use after matriculation to college, there is limited data examining how parents communicate about marijuana use and what impact parent marijuana communication has on college student outcomes. The aim of the current study is to investigate the types of parent marijuana messages that college students receive and the relationship between parent communication and students' marijuana attitudes and behaviors. Students (N = 506) completed a survey assessing marijuana approval, use, negative consequences, and parent communication. A factor analysis of parent communication items yielded three factors: risk communication, permissive communication, and marijuana use communication. Risk communication was the most common form of communication. In multivariate models, risk communication was associated with increased odds of a student remaining abstinent but not with frequency of marijuana use or negative consequences. Greater permissive communication was associated with more approving student attitudes, greater odds of non-abstinence, more frequent use in the past year, and more negative consequences. These findings highlight the need to consider the different types of messages parents deliver when designing interventions aimed at engaging parents in marijuana prevention efforts.

Marijuana experiences, voting behaviors, and early perspectives regarding marijuana legalization among college students from 2 states

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand college students' (1) views and experiences regarding marijuana, (2) voting behaviors, and (3) early perceptions of the impact of legislation. Participants: College students from Washington and Wisconsin were interviewed between May and September 2013. Methods: Participants completed phone interviews assessing marijuana attitudes, intentions, behaviors, voting behaviors or intentions, and perceptions of the impact of legislation. Results: A total of 283 participants completed the interview (83.7% retention rate): 56.8% were female, 57.2% were from Wisconsin, and 74.6% were Caucasian. Almost half of Washington participants (46.3%) indicated that they voted for marijuana legalization. Participants most commonly responded that the legislation did not change their attitudes towards marijuana, although some participants discussed perceived safety of the product because legislation passed. Conclusions: Findings indicate similarities in views and experiences among college students from states affected and unaffected by legalization; legalization may increase perceptions of safety.

Substance use, mental health and incarceration among Mexican-American young adult men with a history of gang membership

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 146 (2015) e202–e284 e243 resource for tracking marijuana use behaviors and attitudes towards marijuana use in near real-time. Financial support: This publicationwasmadepossible byGrant Numbers UL1 RR024992 andKL2 RR024994 from theNational Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research and by K02DA021237 from the NIH. Other support includes an NIH Career Development Award awarded to Dr. Cavazos-Rehg (NIDA, K01DA025733) and NIDA, R01 DA032843, an NIH Midcareer Investigator Award awarded to Dr. Bierut (K02 DA021237), R01 DA031288 awarded to Dr. Grucza. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.09.126 Substance use, mental health and incarceration among Mexican-American young adult men with a history of gang membership Alice Cepeda1, Avelardo Valdez1,2, Kathryn M. Nowotny3 1 School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States 2 Sociology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States 3 Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder,

Temporal trends in marijuana attitudes, availability and use in Colorado compared to non-medical marijuana states: 2003–11

BackgroundIn 2009, policy changes were accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of medical marijuana cardholders in Colorado. Little published epidemiological work has tracked changes in the state around this time. MethodsUsing the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we tested for temporal changes in marijuana attitudes and marijuana-use-related outcomes in Colorado (2003–11) and differences within-year between Colorado and thirty-four non-medical-marijuana states (NMMS). Using regression analyses, we further tested whether patterns seen in Colorado prior to (2006–8) and during (2009–11) marijuana commercialization differed from patterns in NMMS while controlling for demographics. ResultsWithin Colorado those reporting “great-risk” to using marijuana 1–2 times/week dropped significantly in all age groups studied between 2007–8 and 2010–11 (e.g. from 45% to 31% among those 26 years and older; p=0.0006). By 2010–11 past-year marijuana abuse/dependence had become more prevalent in Colorado for 12–17 year olds (5% in Colorado, 3% in NMMS; p=0.03) and 18–25 year olds (9% vs. 5%; p=0.02). Regressions demonstrated significantly greater reductions in perceived risk (12–17 year olds, p=0.005; those 26 years and older, p=0.01), and trend for difference in changes in availability among those 26 years and older and marijuana abuse/dependence among 12–17 year olds in Colorado compared to NMMS in more recent years (2009–11 vs. 2006–8). ConclusionsOur results show that commercialization of marijuana in Colorado has been associated with lower risk perception. Evidence is suggestive for marijuana abuse/dependence. Analyses including subsequent years 2012+ once available, will help determine whether such changes represent momentary vs. sustained effects.

Persons Registered for Medical Marijuana in the United States

Journal of Palliative MedicineVol. 15, No. 1 Letters to the EditorPersons Registered for Medical Marijuana in the United StatesDaniel W. BowlesDaniel W. BowlesSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:23 Jan 2012https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2011.0356AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byEffects of Cannabis on PTSD Recovery: Review of the Literature and Clinical Insights15 June 2022 | Current Addiction Reports, Vol. 9, No. 3Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Coping Motives are Independently Associated with Cannabis Craving Elicited by Trauma Cues19 July 2021 | Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 35, No. 1Cannabinoid modulation of corticolimbic activation to threat in trauma-exposed adults: a preliminary study11 March 2020 | Psychopharmacology, Vol. 237, No. 6A commentary on the medicinal use of marijuana24 May 2019 | Tropical Medicine and Health, Vol. 47, No. 1Treatment for Trauma-Related Disorders: The “Three Buckets” Model30 March 2019Endocannabinoid System Alterations in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Developmental and Accumulative Effects of Trauma12 July 2019 | Chronic Stress, Vol. 3Do medical marijuana laws reduce addictions and deaths related to pain killers?Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 58Cannabis use disorder and male sex predict medical cannabis card status in a sample of high risk adolescentsDrug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol. 183Prevalence, reasons, perceived effects, and correlates of medical marijuana use: A reviewDrug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol. 177Cannabis use patterns and motives: A comparison of younger, middle-aged, and older medical cannabis dispensary patientsAddictive BehaviorsMarijuana use and inpatient outcomes among hospitalized patients: analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample database28 November 2016 | Cancer Medicine, Vol. 6, No. 1Trends in registered medical marijuana participation across 13 US states and District of ColumbiaDrug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol. 159A Phenomenology of Marijuana Use Among Graduate Students6 May 2016 | Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, Vol. 16, No. sup1Patterns of Use of Medical Cannabis Among Israeli Cancer Patients: A Single Institution ExperienceJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, Vol. 49, No. 2Medical Marijuana for Digestive Disorders: High Time to Prescribe?American Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol. 110, No. 2Temporal trends in marijuana attitudes, availability and use in Colorado compared to non-medical marijuana states: 2003–11Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol. 140The effects of medical marijuana laws on potencyInternational Journal of Drug Policy, Vol. 25, No. 2 Volume 15Issue 1Jan 2012 InformationCopyright 2012, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Daniel W. Bowles.Persons Registered for Medical Marijuana in the United States.Journal of Palliative Medicine.Jan 2012.9-11.http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2011.0356Published in Volume: 15 Issue 1: January 23, 2012PDF download

The theory of planned behavior: Precursors of marijuana use in early adolescence?

BackgroundPrecursors of marijuana use in early adolescence are largely unknown because studies generally focus on marijuana use among older adolescents or adults. MethodsIn this study, we examined precursors of marijuana use in a sample of 1023 Dutch early adolescents (aged 11–14 at Time 1) who were never-marijuana user at baseline, by applying a 3-wave longitudinal design. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used as a theoretical framework and posits that marijuana-specific cognitions (i.e., positive and negative expectancies, evaluative attitude, social approval, and self-efficacy) are antecedents of marijuana use and that this relationship is mediated by the intention to start using marijuana. ResultsIn accordance with these premises, our results indicated that evaluative attitude, social approval, and self-efficacy at Time 1 are related to marijuana use at Time 3 (20 months follow-up) via the intention to start using marijuana at Time 2 (8 months follow-up). More specifically, the structural equation models showed that more positive marijuana attitudes, more approval from the social environment, and lower self-efficacy were related to marijuana use initiation through a stronger intention to start using marijuana. ConclusionThis outcome is important for prevention efforts in that our results underline the importance of weakening adolescents’ positive attitudes toward marijuana, decrease social approval of marijuana use, and stimulating the development of early adolescents’ refusal skills with respect to marijuana use.

Medical marijuana diversion and associated problems in adolescent substance treatment

BackgroundThe prevalence of medical marijuana diversion among adolescents in substance treatment and the relationship between medical marijuana diversion and marijuana attitudes, availability, peer disapproval, frequency of use and substance-related problems are not known. Methods80 adolescents (15–19 years) in outpatient substance treatment in Denver, Colorado, completed an anonymous questionnaire developed for the study and the Drug Use Screening Inventory-Revised (DUSI-R). The proportion ever obtaining marijuana from someone with a medical marijuana license was calculated. Those ever obtaining marijuana from someone with a medical marijuana license were compared to those never obtaining medical marijuana with respect to marijuana attitudes, availability, peer disapproval, frequency of use, DUSI-R substance use problem and overall problem score using Chi-Square analyses and independent t-tests. Results39 (48.8%) reported ever obtaining marijuana from someone with a medical marijuana license. A significantly greater proportion of those reporting medical marijuana diversion, compared to those who did not, reported very easy marijuana availability, no friend disapproval of regular marijuana use and greater than 20 times of marijuana use per month over the last year. The diversion group compared to the no diversion group also reported more substance use problems and overall problems on the DUSI-R. ConclusionsDiversion of medical marijuana is common among adolescents in substance treatment. These data support a relationship between medical marijuana exposure and marijuana availability, social norms, frequency of use, substance-related problems and general problems among teens in substance treatment. Adolescent substance treatment should address the impact of medical marijuana on treatment outcomes.

Exploring General and Specific Attitudes Toward Drug Policies Among College Students

Numerous studies have focused on issues dealing with students’ attitudes toward drug use. Although these studies have examined attitudes toward drug use, there has been little research focusing on drug policy attitudes. Although some research has been conducted on attitudes of students and professionals regarding criminal justice policies, the literature has not directly addressed the perceptions of students regarding specific drug policies in the United States. Using data collected from 294 students enrolled at a southern university, this study examined criminal justice/legal studies majors’ and nonmajors’ perceptions regarding current drug policy and demographic factors influence these perceptions. Findings revealed little variation in overall attitudes among the two study cohorts; however, college major emerged as a significant predictor of more tolerant marijuana attitudes.

The Influence of Online Comments on Perceptions of Antimarijuana Public Service Announcements on YouTube

Web-based media often present multiple sources of influence, such as mass media and peers, within one interface. When individuals identify with peers who are visually anonymous and with whom they do not directly interact, they should be susceptible to social influence from that group. This study examined the interplay among antimarijuana public service announcement (PSA) videos in a YouTube environment and adjacent message postings from other viewers about those videos. Results show that supportive or derisive comments affected PSA evaluations but not marijuana attitudes, whereas the interaction effect of identification and comment valence affected both PSA evaluations and marijuana attitudes. Other factors previously related to PSA evaluation such as message strength and perceivers' sensation-seeking did not interact with hypothesized factors.

Effects of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's Marijuana Initiative Campaign on high-sensation-seeking adolescents.

We evaluated the effects of the Marijuana Initiative portion of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign on high-sensation-seeking and low-sensation-seeking adolescents. Personal interviews were conducted via laptop computers with independent monthly random samples of 100 youths from the same age cohort in each of 2 moderate-sized communities over 48 months (April 1999-March 2003) of the campaign, including the critical first 6 months of the 9-month initiative. The start of the initiative was treated as an "interruption" in time-series analyses of the combined community sample. The Marijuana Initiative reversed upward developmental trends in 30-day marijuana use among high-sensation-seeking adolescents (P<.001) and significantly reduced positive marijuana attitudes and beliefs in this at-risk population. Use of control substances was not affected. As expected, low-sensation-seeking adolescents had low marijuana-use levels, and the campaign had no detectable effects on them. Other analyses indicated that the initiative's dramatic depiction of negative consequences of marijuana use was principally responsible for its effects on high-sensation-seeking youths. Substance use prevention campaigns can be effective within an approach using dramatic negative-consequence messages targeted to high-sensation seekers.

Authoritative Parenting and Sensation Seeking as Predictors of Adolescent Cigarette and Marijuana Use

Adolescents with high sensation-seeking tendencies often seek out thrill seeking experiences to satisfy their need for stimulation and sensation. In many cases, sensation-seeking adolescents fulfill their need for stimulation and sensation by using illicit substances. However, not all high sensation seekers use drugs, although the factors that prevent or buffer sensation seeking remain unexplored. This study fills this gap in extant research by examining the role of authoritative parenting as a protective factor that prevents or buffers cigarette and marijuana use by adolescents with high sensation-seeking tendencies. Data from 1461 adolescents attending 6th through 8th grades in central Colorado were gathered during a semester-long classroom-based intervention to prevent the onset or further use of cigarettes. Results indicate that authoritative parenting moderated the effect of sensation seeking on adolescent marijuana attitudes, intentions, and peer influence but not behaviors. Further, authoritative parenting was a stronger influence than sensation seeking on cigarette-related outcomes with just the opposite effect observed for marijuana-related outcomes.

Involving Parents of High-Risk Youth in Drug Prevention

The study evaluated the incremental effect of a 3-year drug prevention program for high-risk early adolescents, combined with monthly youth activities and parent involvement (Family Advocacy Network [FAN] Club group) relative to: (a) the 3-year drug prevention program with monthly youth activities but without parent involvement (Prevention Plus Youth Activities group), (b) the 3-year drug prevention program alone (Prevention Only group), and (c) no program (Control group). Results showed positive effects for the FAN Club group for alcohol refusal, marijuana refusal cigarette refusal and marijuana attitudes. The Prevention Plus Youth Activities group and the Prevention Only group held fairly constant on those four variables. The Control group showed a decrease in reported ability to refuse alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes; an increase in favorable attitudes toward marijuana use; and the least knwledge of the groups. Implications for youth organization prevention programs with parent involvement are discussed

Drug prevention in a community setting: A longitudinal study of the relative effectiveness of a three‐year primary prevention program in boys &amp; girls clubs across the nation

Tested the effectiveness of a youth drug prevention program in a community setting. Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Stay SMART program, adapted from a school-based personal and social competence drug prevention program, was offered, with and without a 2-year booster program, to 13-year-old members of Boys & Girls Clubs. Over 27 months, (a) 5 Boys & Girls Clubs offered the Stay SMART program, (b) 5 Boys & Girls Clubs offered the Stay SMART program with the booster programs, and (c) 4 Boys & Girls Clubs served as a control group. The Stay SMART program alone and the Stay SMART program with the booster programs showed effects for marijuana-related behavior, cigarette-related behavior, alcohol-related behavior, overall drug-related behavior, and knowledge concerning drug use. The Stay SMART program with the booster programs produced additional effects for alcohol attitudes and marijuana attitudes after each year of booster programs. Results suggest that a school-based personal and social competence program can be adapted effectively to a community setting and that booster programs might enhance program effects. Implications for alternative community models of prevention are discussed.