Marijuana Use Linked to Aggression in Colombian Adolescents, but Context Matters

Exclusive marijuana users had higher odds of aggression compared to non-drug users, but lower odds than polydrug users. Adolescents who initiated marijuana before other drugs showed greater odds of aggression than exclusive marijuana users, and those who used marijuana after other drugs showed even higher rates, suggesting that polydrug involvement and initiation sequence matter more than marijuana alone.

Secondary analysis of nationally representative 2016 cross-sectional data from 80,018 Colombian students in grades 7-11. Participants categorized into marijuana-use groups (exclusive, initial, subsequent) and non-marijuana groups (no drug, one drug, multiple drugs). Logistic regression controlled for sex, age, parental education, and grade repetition.

Most research on cannabis and aggression uses simple user versus non-user comparisons. This study shows that the relationship is far more nuanced: the order of drug initiation and number of substances used change the picture dramatically, challenging simplistic causal claims.

The finding that initiation sequence matters suggests that marijuana's association with aggression may partly reflect broader patterns of risk-taking behavior rather than a pharmacological effect of cannabis itself. This has implications for prevention: targeting the underlying risk factors may be more effective than focusing on a single substance.

Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Self-reported aggression and drug use subject to reporting biases. 2016 Colombian context may differ from other countries. Cannot control for all confounders like mental health conditions, family violence, or socioeconomic factors beyond parental education.