TY - JOUR
T1 - Theory-based correlates of cannabis use and intentions among US and Israeli adults
T2 - a mixed methods study
AU - Cui, Yuxian
AU - LoParco, Cassidy R.
AU - Bar-Zeev, Yael
AU - Duan, Zongshuan
AU - Levine, Hagai
AU - Abroms, Lorien C.
AU - Wang, Yan
AU - Khayat, Amal
AU - Berg, Carla J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.
PY - 2023/9/6
Y1 - 2023/9/6
N2 - Background: In the US and Israel, non-medical (‘recreational’) cannabis use is illegal at the national level; however, use rates are high and decriminalization and legalization is spreading. Thus, theory-based intervention efforts, especially for youth prevention, are crucial. Methods: This mixed-methods study of adults in the US (n = 1,128) and Israel (n = 1,094) analyzed: 1) cross-sectional survey data (Fall 2021) to identify theory-based correlates (risk perceptions, social norms) of past-month cannabis use, next-year use intentions, and intentions to use in the home or among children if non-medical cannabis was legal, using multivariable regression; and 2) qualitative interviews regarding perceptions of cannabis policies and use (US n = 40, Israel n = 44). Results: 16.7% reported past-month use; 70.5%, 56.3%, and 82.6% indicated “not at all likely” regarding next-year use and use in the home and among children if legal. Lower perceived risk and greater social norms were associated with past-month use, greater use intentions, and greater intentions to use in the home or among children. Past-month use was more prevalent among US (vs. Israeli) participants (22.0% vs. 11.2%); however, in multivariable regression controlling for past-month use, being from Israel was associated with greater use intentions (next-year; in the home/among children). Qualitative themes indicated: concerns about use (e.g., increasing use, health risks, driving-related risks) and legalization (e.g., impact on society/economy, marketing), and perceived benefits of use (e.g., medical) and legalization (e.g., access/safety, economic, individual rights). Conclusions: Despite differences in cannabis perceptions and use across countries, perceived risk and social norms are relevant intervention targets regardless of sociopolitical context.
AB - Background: In the US and Israel, non-medical (‘recreational’) cannabis use is illegal at the national level; however, use rates are high and decriminalization and legalization is spreading. Thus, theory-based intervention efforts, especially for youth prevention, are crucial. Methods: This mixed-methods study of adults in the US (n = 1,128) and Israel (n = 1,094) analyzed: 1) cross-sectional survey data (Fall 2021) to identify theory-based correlates (risk perceptions, social norms) of past-month cannabis use, next-year use intentions, and intentions to use in the home or among children if non-medical cannabis was legal, using multivariable regression; and 2) qualitative interviews regarding perceptions of cannabis policies and use (US n = 40, Israel n = 44). Results: 16.7% reported past-month use; 70.5%, 56.3%, and 82.6% indicated “not at all likely” regarding next-year use and use in the home and among children if legal. Lower perceived risk and greater social norms were associated with past-month use, greater use intentions, and greater intentions to use in the home or among children. Past-month use was more prevalent among US (vs. Israeli) participants (22.0% vs. 11.2%); however, in multivariable regression controlling for past-month use, being from Israel was associated with greater use intentions (next-year; in the home/among children). Qualitative themes indicated: concerns about use (e.g., increasing use, health risks, driving-related risks) and legalization (e.g., impact on society/economy, marketing), and perceived benefits of use (e.g., medical) and legalization (e.g., access/safety, economic, individual rights). Conclusions: Despite differences in cannabis perceptions and use across countries, perceived risk and social norms are relevant intervention targets regardless of sociopolitical context.
KW - Cannabis use
KW - Global health
KW - Health behavior
KW - Health policy
KW - Non-medical cannabis
KW - Recreational cannabis
KW - Theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85169998701&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13011-023-00562-x
DO - 10.1186/s13011-023-00562-x
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C2 - 37674246
AN - SCOPUS:85169998701
SN - 1747-597X
VL - 18
JO - Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
JF - Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
IS - 1
M1 - 54
ER -