Charles B Fleming1, Jason J Ramirez2, Isaac C Rhew2, Brittney A Hultgren2, Koren G Hanson3, Mary E Larimer2, Julia A Dilley4, Jason R Kilmer2, Katarina Guttmannova2. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: cnbflem@uw.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 3. School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 4. Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, Portland, Oregon.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Liberalization of cannabis laws may be accompanied by changes in the use of substances other than cannabis and changes in associations of cannabis use with other types of substance use. This study assessed (1) trends in alcohol, nicotine, and nonprescribed pain reliever use and (2) changes in associations of cannabis use with these other substances among young adults in Washington State after nonmedical cannabis legalization. METHODS: Regression models stratified by age (18-20 vs. 21-25) were used to analyze six annual waves of cross-sectional survey data from a statewide sample from 2014 through 2019 (N = 12,694). RESULTS: Prevalence of past-month alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking (HED), and cigarette use and prevalence of past-year pain reliever misuse decreased, while the prevalence of past-month e-cigarette use increased since 2016 (the first year assessed). Across years and age groups, the prevalence of substance use other than cannabis was higher among occasional and frequent cannabis users compared to cannabis nonusers. However, associations between both occasional (1-19 days in the prior month) and frequent (20+ days) cannabis use and pain reliever misuse and between frequent cannabis use and HED weakened over time among individuals ages 21-25. DISCUSSION: Contrary to concerns about spillover effects, implementation of legalized nonmedical cannabis coincided with decreases in alcohol and cigarette use and pain reliever misuse. The weakening association of cannabis use with the use of other substances among individuals ages 21-25 requires further research but may suggest increased importance of cannabis-specific prevention and treatment efforts.
PURPOSE: Liberalization of cannabis laws may be accompanied by changes in the use of substances other than cannabis and changes in associations of cannabis use with other types of substance use. This study assessed (1) trends in alcohol, nicotine, and nonprescribed pain reliever use and (2) changes in associations of cannabis use with these other substances among young adults in Washington State after nonmedical cannabis legalization. METHODS: Regression models stratified by age (18-20 vs. 21-25) were used to analyze six annual waves of cross-sectional survey data from a statewide sample from 2014 through 2019 (N = 12,694). RESULTS: Prevalence of past-month alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking (HED), and cigarette use and prevalence of past-year pain reliever misuse decreased, while the prevalence of past-month e-cigarette use increased since 2016 (the first year assessed). Across years and age groups, the prevalence of substance use other than cannabis was higher among occasional and frequent cannabis users compared to cannabis nonusers. However, associations between both occasional (1-19 days in the prior month) and frequent (20+ days) cannabis use and pain reliever misuse and between frequent cannabis use and HED weakened over time among individuals ages 21-25. DISCUSSION: Contrary to concerns about spillover effects, implementation of legalized nonmedical cannabis coincided with decreases in alcohol and cigarette use and pain reliever misuse. The weakening association of cannabis use with the use of other substances among individuals ages 21-25 requires further research but may suggest increased importance of cannabis-specific prevention and treatment efforts.
Authors: Rosalie Liccardo Pacula; Beau Kilmer; Alexander C Wagenaar; Frank J Chaloupka; Jonathan P Caulkins Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-04-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Charles B Fleming; Katarina Guttmannova; Christopher Cambron; Isaac C Rhew; Sabrina Oesterle Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2016-06-16 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: MeLisa R Creamer; Lauren M Dutra; Saida R Sharapova; Andrea S Gentzke; Kevin L Delucchi; Ruben A Smith; Stanton A Glantz Journal: Prev Med Date: 2020-11-30 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Katarina Guttmannova; Charles B Fleming; Isaac C Rhew; Devon Alisa Abdallah; Megan E Patrick; Jennifer C Duckworth; Christine M Lee Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2021-06-05 Impact factor: 3.928