A longitudinal mediated examination of legal, commercial, and individual determinants of cannabis and derived cannabis use behaviors and consequences among US young adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cannabis and derived intoxicating cannabis product (DICP; e.g., delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) use is increasing, particularly among young adults. We examined how state cannabis and DICP laws and cannabis advertisement exposure impact cannabis/DICP risk perceptions and use motives and how those, in turn, impact cannabis and DICP behaviors (use, frequency, intentions) and consequences.

Methods

We analyzed two waves (2023-2024) of longitudinal survey data among 3,437 US young adults ages 18-34 (∼50 % past-month cannabis use by design). Multivariable regressions assessed direct and indirect associations via parallel mediation.

Results

Participants in states with legal (vs. illegal) non-medical cannabis had lower DICP use motives, higher odds of cannabis-o

SUBMITTER: LoParco CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12704332 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature