Marijuana ad exposure had a small link to teen use, amplified by perceived access and age
Among 9,024 American adolescents, marijuana advertising exposure was positively associated with past-year use, but perceived ease of access and older age were much stronger predictors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Perceived ease of access and age were both significantly larger predictors of past-year marijuana use than ad exposure. Both factors also amplified the ad-to-use relationship: older teens who perceived marijuana as easy to get were most influenced by advertising. Male adolescents were more affected by perceived availability than females.
Key Numbers
9,024 adolescents surveyed. Ad exposure positively associated with use (95% CI [0.03, 0.14]). Perceived ease of access had a much larger effect (95% CI [0.18, 0.22]). Age also stronger (95% CI [0.16, 0.27]). Significant three-way interaction between all three factors.
How They Did This
Secondary analysis of national survey data from 9,024 American adolescents using hierarchical regression. Examined main effects and interactions of ad exposure, perceived ease of access, age, and gender on past-year marijuana use.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis advertising increases with legalization, understanding what actually drives teen use is critical. This study suggests reducing perceived availability may be more impactful than restricting advertising alone.
The Bigger Picture
Prevention efforts often focus on regulating advertising, but this data suggests that how available teens perceive marijuana to be may matter more. Interventions targeting perceived access could complement advertising restrictions.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional survey cannot establish causation. Self-reported marijuana use and ad exposure are subject to recall bias. "Perceived ease of access" may reflect actual access or attitudes toward use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would restricting marijuana advertising reduce teen use, or would access-focused interventions be more effective?
- ?How does perceived ease of access change after state-level legalization?
- ?Are there age-specific windows when advertising is most influential?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Perceived access was a stronger predictor of teen use than ad exposure
- Evidence Grade:
- Large national sample with appropriate statistical modeling, but cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2020 analysis of national survey data. Relevant to ongoing debates about cannabis advertising regulation.
- Original Title:
- Perceived Ease of Access and Age Attenuate the Association Between Marijuana Ad Exposure and Marijuana Use in Adolescents.
- Published In:
- Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 47(2), 311-320 (2020)
- Authors:
- Turel, Ofir
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02886
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does marijuana advertising cause teens to use marijuana?
This study found a positive association between ad exposure and use, but perceived ease of access and age were substantially stronger predictors. The cross-sectional design cannot confirm that ads cause use.
Were there gender differences?
Yes. Male adolescents were more strongly influenced by perceived ease of access compared to females, suggesting that prevention strategies may need to be tailored by gender.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02886APA
Turel, Ofir. (2020). Perceived Ease of Access and Age Attenuate the Association Between Marijuana Ad Exposure and Marijuana Use in Adolescents.. Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 47(2), 311-320. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198119894707
MLA
Turel, Ofir. "Perceived Ease of Access and Age Attenuate the Association Between Marijuana Ad Exposure and Marijuana Use in Adolescents.." Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198119894707
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Perceived Ease of Access and Age Attenuate the Association B..." RTHC-02886. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/turel-2020-perceived-ease-of-access
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.