NCJ Number
249660
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Volume: 156 Dated: November 2015 Pages: 62-69
Date Published
November 2015
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Since recent changes in marijuana policy in the United States have increased the importance of understanding the long-term effects of marijuana use on adult functioning, this study examined whether men who displayed different trajectories of marijuana use from adolescence through emerging adulthood (ages 15-26) differed in terms of socioeconomic, social, and life satisfaction outcomes in their mid-30s.
Abstract
The study found that although there were initially group differences across all domains, once pre-existing confounds and co-occurring other substance use were included in the model, groups differed only in terms of partner and friend marijuana use. Chronic marijuana users reported the highest proportions of both. Frequent and persistent marijuana use was associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES) for Black men only. Thus, after statistically accounting for confounding variables, chronic marijuana users were not at a heightened risk for maladjustment in adulthood except for lower SES among Black men. Chronic users were more likely to have friends and partners who also used marijuana. Future studies should take into account pre-existing differences when examining outcomes of marijuana use. Data came from a longitudinal sample of men who were recruited in early adolescence (N = 506) and followed into adulthood. Four trajectory groups based on patterns of marijuana use from adolescence into emerging adulthood were compared on adult outcomes (age 36) before and after controlling for co-occurring use of other substances and several pre-existing confounding factors in early adolescence. The potential moderating effect of race was also examined. (Publisher abstract modified)