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Cannabis Recreational Legalization and Prevalence of Simultaneous Cannabis and Alcohol Use in the United States.
- Source :
-
Journal of general internal medicine [J Gen Intern Med] 2023 May; Vol. 38 (6), pp. 1493-1500. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Nov 30. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Background: Simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use, using both substances within a short time interval so that their effects overlap, has a greater risk of potential negative consequences than single-substance use and is more common in younger age. Relationships between recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) and changes in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use prevalence remain untested.<br />Objective: To examine trends in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use from 2008 to 2019, and investigate associations between implementation of RCLs (i.e., presence of active legal dispensaries or legal home cultivation) and simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use in the United States (U.S.).<br />Design: Repeated cross-sectional samples from the 2008-2019 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).<br />Participants: Respondents (51% female) aged 12 and older.<br />Interventions: Changes in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use before and after RCL implementation (controlling for medical cannabis law implementation) were compared in different age groups (12-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51+), using adjusted multi-level logistic regression with state random intercepts and an RCL/age group interaction.<br />Measurements: Self-reported simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use.<br />Results: From 2008 to 2019, the overall prevalence of simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use declined among those aged 12-20 but increased in adults aged 21+. Model-based simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use prevalence increased after RCL implementation among respondents aged 21-30 years (+1.2%; aOR= 1.15 [95%CI = 1.04-1.27]), 31-40 years (+1.0; 1.15 [1.04-1.27]), and 41-50 years (+1.75; 1.63 [1.34-1.98]), but not in individuals aged <21 or 51+ years.<br />Conclusions: Implementation of recreational cannabis policies resulted in increased simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol, supporting the complementarity hypothesis, but only among adults aged 21+. Efforts to minimize harms related to simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use are critical, especially in states with RCLs. Future studies should investigate cultural norms, perceived harm, and motives related to simultaneous use.<br /> (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Society of General Internal Medicine.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1525-1497
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of general internal medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36451010
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-022-07948-w