U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Leisure Time Activities That Predict Initiation, Progression and Reduction of Cannabis Use: A Prospective, Population-Based Panel Survey

NCJ Number
231481
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 378-384
Author(s)
Michael Schaub; Gerhard Gmel; Beatrice Annaheim; Max Mueller; David Schwappach
Date Published
July 2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Frequent cannabis consumption can lead to severe physical and mental harm. As cannabis is often consumed in leisure time, this study aimed at identifying differences in leisure time activities that predicted the severity of cannabis use.
Abstract
In a prospective population-based survey on cannabis use a cohort of 5,025 subjects aged 13-29 years were assessed by telephone interview and followed up 3 years later. Different leisure time activities and the persons (e.g. partner, friend, sibling) the activities were spent with were analyzed for the initiation, progression and reduction/cessation of cannabis use over time using multinomial and ordered logistical regression models. The persons the leisure time was spent with at baseline led to a higher probability of initiation and progression of cannabis use over time than the type of leisure time activity. There also was a tendency for tobacco use to increase during the progression phase and to remain high after a reduction/cessation of cannabis use. The influence of persons the leisure time was spent with was of higher relevance to most phases of cannabis use than the type of leisure time activity. Tables and references (Published Abstract)