Cannabis, identity, and attitudes: a qualitative study in adolescents who do and do not use cannabis
Christiana Karashiali, Will Lawn, Kat Petrilli, Claire Mokrysz, Georgia Bell Black
medRxiv August 17, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.15.22278796 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | London-based adolescents aged 16-17 years, including eight who used cannabis and six who did not |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The authors report four identities around cannabis use among London adolescents: users are seen as 'chilled' and sometimes 'ostracised' (both groups), and as 'an expert in risky things' and 'not addicted' (users only). Users described socialising and relaxation benefits and emphasised they are not addicted; some non-users held stigmatising attitudes. The authors argue stereotypes persist despite cannabis normalisation. |
Abstract
Abstract Background and objective Cannabis use during adolescence is common. Cannabis use and identity are thought to influence one another. This study aimed to examine what London-based adolescents (aged 16-17 years) think about cannabis use, its relationships with identity, and its benefits and harms.
Method: Three semi-structured focus groups interviews were conducted, two with adolescents who use cannabis (n=3 and n=5) and one with adolescents who do not use cannabis (n=6). Participants also completed a drug-use questionnaire.
Results: Thematic analysis (TA) revealed four identities. Two identities emerged from both groups: ‘The person who uses cannabis is chilled’ and ‘The person who uses cannabis is sometimes ostracised’. Two identities emerged from the group of adolescents who used cannabis: ‘The person who uses cannabis is an expert in risky things’ and ‘The person who uses cannabis is not addicted’. Skunk was identified as potentially more harmful than hash, but more powerful and pleasurable.
Conclusion: The findings provide insight into how cannabis use shape personal and social identity amongst teenagers in London in the late 2010s. Those who use cannabis described the benefits of cannabis, including socialising and for relaxation, and emphasised they are not addicted. Stigmatising and devaluing attitudes were held by some non-users about adolescents who use cannabis. Stereotypes seem to still exist, despite cannabis normalisation. Implications for research and policy are outlined.
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 |