Perceived Risks and Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis Among College Students Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Selina Espinoza, Melissa-Ann Lagunas, Rocha Claudia, Jennifer L Lovell
Cannabis June 1, 2023 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000157 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey with qualitative content analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 170 |
| Population | College students aged 21 and older with cannabis experience in a legalized cannabis state; majority female (72.9%, n = 124) and Latinx/Hispanic (55.9%, n = 95) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Participants reported significantly more relief from cannabis than from non-cannabis treatments or medications, and quality of life was not significantly correlated with cannabis use disorder symptoms. Written responses described both negative effects (anxiety, mental health issues) and positive effects (relaxation, stress reduction), with most reporting no spiritual benefits but some describing greater self-connection and self-awareness. |
Abstract
More than half of the United States has legalized medicinal and/or recreational cannabis. The purpose of the study is to understand cannabis use and perceptions among college students with cannabis experience – 21 years and older – in a legalized cannabis state. Participants included 170 college students, the majority identified as female (72.9%, n = 124) and Latinx/Hispanic (55.9%, n = 95). The online survey included demographic questions and questionnaires measuring cannabis consumption, cannabis use disorder, and quality of life. Participants answered open-ended questions about the negative, positive, and spiritual impact/s of cannabis on their life and health, and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their cannabis use. A paired-sample t-test indicated participants significantly found more relief using cannabis compared to non-cannabis treatments or medications. There was no significant correlation between quality of life and cannabis use disorder symptoms. Inductive content analysis of 112 written responses revealed perceived negative effects (e.g., anxiety/mental health issues) and positive effects (e.g., relaxation/stress reduction) from using cannabis. Most participants reported no spiritual benefits; however, some participants discussed cannabis use improving connection to self and self-awareness. Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on use, most participants (27.8%) reported increased cannabis use, while some reported decreased cannabis use. These findings reflect the importance of understanding the wide-range of benefits and risks perceived by college students who consume cannabis and how these results can inform the development of university prevention and wellness strategies within states that have legalized recreational and medical cannabis.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis | |
| Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products Web pages related to Spice products | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 200 |
| Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Clubbers in clubs and pre-club bars | 2004 | Cross-sectional survey with focus groups | n = 124 |
| Fascination and Social Togetherness-Discussions about Spice Smoking on a Swedish Internet Forum. Swedish internet forum users who posted reports about Spice intoxication | 2013 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Ancient psychoactive plants in a global village: The ritual use of cannabis in a self-managed community in Catalonia. International Journal of Drug Policy December 1, 2021
- Spiritual Benefit from Cannabis. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2022
- The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. Psychoneuroendocrinology January 2015