Stephen E Lankenau1, Avat Kioumarsi2, Megan Reed3, Miles McNeeley4, Ellen Iverson5, Carolyn F Wong6. 1. Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Prevention, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: sel59@drexel.edu. 2. Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Prevention, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: ak3328@drexel.edu. 3. Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Prevention, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: mr925@drexel.edu. 4. Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Adolescent Medicine, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #2, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States. Electronic address: MMcNeeley@chla.usc.edu. 5. University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Adolescent Medicine, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #2, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States. Electronic address: Eiverson@chla.usc.edu. 6. University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Adolescent Medicine, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #2, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Research on Children, Youth, & Families, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #2, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Electronic address: CaWong@chla.usc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since marijuana became legal for medical use in California in 1996, reasons for medical use among medical marijuana patients (MMP) have become increasingly well described in qualitative studies. However, few studies have detailed how the use of marijuana for medical purposes fits into the broader career trajectories of either becoming a marijuana user or becoming a MMP, including the social influences on medical use. METHODS: Young adult MMP (N=40) aged 18 to 26 years old were recruited in Los Angeles, CA in 2014-15 and administered a semi-structured interview that included questions focusing on marijuana use practices before and after becoming MMP. RESULTS: MMP were categorized into three trajectory groups: primarily medical users (n=30); primarily non-medical users (n=3); and medical users who transitioned to non-medical users (n=7). Most medical users discovered medicinal effects from marijuana in the context of non-medical use as adolescents prior to becoming MMP. Becoming a mature MMP followed interactions with dispensary staff or further self-exploration of medical uses and often involved a social process that helped confirm the legitimacy of medical use and identity as a medical user. In some cases, MMP transitioned back to non-medical users as health conditions improved or remained primarily non-medical users even after becoming MMP for reasons unrelated to health, e.g., protection against arrest. CONCLUSION: Becoming a medical marijuana user was an important career trajectory that was influenced by early discoveries of effective medicinal use, interaction with proponents of medical use at dispensaries, experiences with new kinds of medical use, and the demands of particular health condition requiring more or less treatment with marijuana.
BACKGROUND: Since marijuana became legal for medical use in California in 1996, reasons for medical use among medical marijuanapatients (MMP) have become increasingly well described in qualitative studies. However, few studies have detailed how the use of marijuana for medical purposes fits into the broader career trajectories of either becoming a marijuana user or becoming a MMP, including the social influences on medical use. METHODS: Young adult MMP (N=40) aged 18 to 26 years old were recruited in Los Angeles, CA in 2014-15 and administered a semi-structured interview that included questions focusing on marijuana use practices before and after becoming MMP. RESULTS: MMP were categorized into three trajectory groups: primarily medical users (n=30); primarily non-medical users (n=3); and medical users who transitioned to non-medical users (n=7). Most medical users discovered medicinal effects from marijuana in the context of non-medical use as adolescents prior to becoming MMP. Becoming a mature MMP followed interactions with dispensary staff or further self-exploration of medical uses and often involved a social process that helped confirm the legitimacy of medical use and identity as a medical user. In some cases, MMP transitioned back to non-medical users as health conditions improved or remained primarily non-medical users even after becoming MMP for reasons unrelated to health, e.g., protection against arrest. CONCLUSION: Becoming a medical marijuana user was an important career trajectory that was influenced by early discoveries of effective medicinal use, interaction with proponents of medical use at dispensaries, experiences with new kinds of medical use, and the demands of particular health condition requiring more or less treatment with marijuana.
Authors: Stephen E Lankenau; Ekaterina V Fedorova; Megan Reed; Sheree M Schrager; Ellen Iverson; Carolyn F Wong Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2016-10-26 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Carolyn F Wong; Karol Silva; Aleksandar Kecojevic; Sheree M Schrager; Jennifer Jackson Bloom; Ellen Iverson; Stephen E Lankenau Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2013-02-28 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Ekaterina V Fedorova; Sheree M Schrager; Lucy F Robinson; Alexis M Roth; Carolyn F Wong; Ellen Iverson; Stephen E Lankenau Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2020-05-10
Authors: Megan Reed; Avat Kioumarsi; Janna Ataiants; Ekaterina V Fedorova; Ellen Iverson; Carolyn F Wong; Stephen E Lankenau Journal: Drugs (Abingdon Engl) Date: 2019-01-16
Authors: Jacqueline Smith; Jennifer Smith; Joel Mader; Gabrielle Guestier; Lauren Conn; Joy Maddigan Journal: J Behav Health Serv Res Date: 2021-07-08 Impact factor: 1.475