Eleven factors drove adolescent marijuana farming and trading in rural South Africa
Focus groups with 33 participants in rural South Africa identified 11 contextual factors across four socio-ecological levels that sustained adolescent involvement in illicit marijuana cultivation and trading.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Factors driving adolescent marijuana farming and trading spanned four levels: intrapersonal (knowledge/skills, courage), interpersonal (peer and family influences), communal (economic reasons, early childhood exposure, protecting family lands, favorable topography and soil), and policy-related (lack of communal bylaws, lax law enforcement).
Key Numbers
33 participants; 2 communities; 11 contextual factors; 4 socio-ecological levels; Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, South Africa
How They Did This
Qualitative study using focus group discussions with 33 purposefully sampled participants recruited through snowball sampling in two communities in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. A semi-structured interview guide and thematic content analysis were used, organized around the Socio-Ecological Model.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding why adolescents cultivate and trade cannabis in specific contexts is essential for designing prevention programs that address root causes rather than just symptoms. Economic factors and family tradition emerged as powerful drivers that punitive approaches alone cannot address.
The Bigger Picture
In many parts of the world, cannabis cultivation is deeply embedded in local economies and family traditions. Prevention efforts that ignore these structural realities in favor of education-only approaches are unlikely to succeed.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small qualitative sample from two communities in one municipality. Findings may not generalize to other regions. Self-report data on illicit activity may be subject to social desirability bias. No quantitative verification of themes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would economic development alternatives reduce adolescent involvement?
- ?How do these findings compare to adolescent involvement in cannabis cultivation in other countries?
- ?Could regulated markets reduce the harms associated with adolescent involvement in illicit trade?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 11 contextual factors across 4 socio-ecological levels
- Evidence Grade:
- Small qualitative study with appropriate methodology for exploring complex social phenomena, but limited generalizability beyond the study communities.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading in the Inqguza Hill local municipality of South Africa: implications for public health policy.
- Published In:
- Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 16(1), 6 (2021)
- Authors:
- Manu, Emmanuel(2), Douglas, Mbuyiselo(2), Ntsaba, Mohlomi Jafta(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03319
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do adolescents farm marijuana in this region?
The reasons are multilayered: economic necessity, family tradition, peer influence, favorable growing conditions, early childhood exposure to the activity, and weak law enforcement all play a role.
What do the researchers recommend?
They recommend prevention programs addressing all four socio-ecological levels, incorporating law enforcement into demand reduction strategies, and strengthening coordination between municipal authorities and social services.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03319APA
Manu, Emmanuel; Douglas, Mbuyiselo; Ntsaba, Mohlomi Jafta. (2021). Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading in the Inqguza Hill local municipality of South Africa: implications for public health policy.. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 16(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-00338-7
MLA
Manu, Emmanuel, et al. "Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading in the Inqguza Hill local municipality of South Africa: implications for public health policy.." Substance abuse treatment, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-00338-7
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultiv..." RTHC-03319. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/manu-2021-contextual-influences-of-illicit
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.