Cannabis Recreational Legalization and Prevalence of Simultaneous Cannabis and Alcohol Use in the United States.
J Gen Intern Med
; 38(6): 1493-1500, 2023 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36451010
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. 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.). DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional samples from the 2008-2019 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). PARTICIPANTS: Respondents (51% female) aged 12 and older. 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. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use. 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. 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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cannabis
/
Medical Marijuana
Type of study:
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Gen Intern Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA INTERNA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States