Young adults whose social networks included more cannabis users tended to use more frequently, with this effect being stronger for recreational users than medicinal users.
Young adults, prevention researchers, and clinicians interested in social influences on cannabis use.
Recreational users 62% more influenced by peer cannabis norms
What the researchers found
Descriptive norms (how much one's social contacts use cannabis) were associated with more frequent cannabis use (aIRR 1.19), but not with problematic use. The effect was stronger for recreationally oriented users (aIRR 1.62) than medicinally oriented users (aIRR 1.22).
Why it matters
Understanding how social environments influence cannabis use patterns can inform prevention and harm reduction strategies for young adults.
The numbers in context
339 participants (182 medical patients, 157 nonpatients). Descriptive norms associated with use frequency (aIRR 1.19). Recreational users: aIRR 1.62. Medicinal users: aIRR 1.22. No association with problematic use.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 339 young adult cannabis users (182 medical patients, 157 nonpatients) in Los Angeles (2015-2016). Regression models examined associations between egocentric network characteristics and past-90-day cannabis use.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design limits causal claims. Los Angeles sample may not generalize. Self-reported cannabis use and network composition.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional survey with moderate sample size. Cannot determine direction of causation between social norms and use patterns.
When this study was published
Published in 2022 with data from 2015-2016.
The bigger picture
The finding that social norms influenced frequency but not problematic use suggests that being around other users increases consumption but does not necessarily lead to dependency or problems.
Questions still open
- Do medicinal users self-regulate against social pressure? Would interventions targeting social norms reduce cannabis consumption among recreational users?
Common questions
Did peer cannabis use lead to problematic use?
Why were recreational users more influenced by peers?
Read the original research
Egocentric Network Characteristics and Cannabis Use in a Sample of Young Adult Medical Cannabis Patients and Nonpatient Users.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 83(6), 802-811
Citation
DiGuiseppi, Graham T; Fedorova, Ekaterina V; Lankenau, Stephen E; Davis, Jordan P; Wong, Carolyn F. (2022). Egocentric Network Characteristics and Cannabis Use in a Sample of Young Adult Medical Cannabis Patients and Nonpatient Users.. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 83(6), 802-811. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.21-00286
Explore the wider topic
- How to Talk to Your Teenager About Weed (Without Losing Them)
- My Kid's Friends Smoke Weed: A Parent's Guide
- I Smoke Weed But Don't Want My Kids To: Navigating the Hypocrisy
- Quitting Weed as a Parent: Why It Is the Hardest and Most Important Quit
- Quitting Weed as a Teen or Young Adult
- My Kid Is Smoking Weed: A Parent's Guide