Joan S Tucker1, Anthony Rodriguez2, Eric R Pedersen3, Rachana Seelam3, Regina A Shih3, Elizabeth J D'Amico3. 1. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, USA. Electronic address: jtucker@rand.org. 2. RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 920, Boston, MA 02116, USA. 3. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study compared young adults with and without a medical marijuana (MM) recommendation from a provider ("MM card") on their developmental trajectories of frequent marijuana use and marijuana-related problems in young adulthood. METHODS: The analytic sample consists of young adult past month marijuana users (N = 671) who were part of a larger, diverse, and predominantly California cohort. Analyses are based on data from seven surveys completed from ages 13-19. RESULTS: At age 19, 28% of participants reported having an MM card to legally purchase marijuana from an MM dispensary. A multiple group latent growth model indicated that young adults who had an MM card showed steeper increases in frequent marijuana use (i.e., 20-30 days of use in the past month) from ages 13-19 compared to young adults who did not have an MM card. Logistic regression models that matched MM cardholders and non-MM cardholders on individual sociodemographic characteristics found that MM cardholders were more likely to report marijuana negative consequences, selling marijuana/hashish, and driving under the influence of marijuana in the past year. In addition, MM cardholders were more likely to have tried cutting down or quitting in the past 3-months. CONCLUSIONS: Among young adult marijuana users, those with an MM card had a higher risk profile for marijuana use and related problems compared to those without an MM card. Given expanding state legalization of MM, this issue warrants further attention.
BACKGROUND: This study compared young adults with and without a medical marijuana (MM) recommendation from a provider ("MM card") on their developmental trajectories of frequent marijuana use and marijuana-related problems in young adulthood. METHODS: The analytic sample consists of young adult past month marijuana users (N = 671) who were part of a larger, diverse, and predominantly California cohort. Analyses are based on data from seven surveys completed from ages 13-19. RESULTS: At age 19, 28% of participants reported having an MM card to legally purchase marijuana from an MM dispensary. A multiple group latent growth model indicated that young adults who had an MM card showed steeper increases in frequent marijuana use (i.e., 20-30 days of use in the past month) from ages 13-19 compared to young adults who did not have an MM card. Logistic regression models that matched MM cardholders and non-MM cardholders on individual sociodemographic characteristics found that MM cardholders were more likely to report marijuana negative consequences, selling marijuana/hashish, and driving under the influence of marijuana in the past year. In addition, MM cardholders were more likely to have tried cutting down or quitting in the past 3-months. CONCLUSIONS: Among young adult marijuana users, those with an MM card had a higher risk profile for marijuana use and related problems compared to those without an MM card. Given expanding state legalization of MM, this issue warrants further attention.
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Authors: Elizabeth J D'Amico; Anthony Rodriguez; Michael S Dunbar; Caislin L Firth; Joan S Tucker; Rachana Seelam; Eric R Pedersen; Jordan P Davis Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2020-10-07
Authors: Michael S Dunbar; Rachana Seelam; Joan S Tucker; Caislin L Firth; Eric R Pedersen; David J Klein; Anthony Rodriguez; Elizabeth J D'Amico Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2021-11-20 Impact factor: 3.913
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