Over Half of Adolescent Marijuana Users Had Tried to Quit and Failed, but Most Programs Were Seen as Ineffective
Among 842 high-risk students, 70% were current marijuana users, over half had tried to quit and failed, and while interest in quitting was high, students had little confidence in cessation programs and believed self-help or punishment were more effective.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers surveyed 842 students at eleven continuation high schools in southern California about marijuana use and cessation using both questionnaires and focus groups.
Approximately 70% were current marijuana users. Interest in quitting was high, and over half of users had tried to quit at least once and failed. However, students expressed little confidence in the effectiveness of formal marijuana cessation programs.
Students believed either self-help approaches or punitive methods (legal consequences, school discipline) were the most effective cessation strategies. Several positive social images remained associated with marijuana use, which competed with motivations to quit.
The reasons for continuing use centered on stress relief, while motivations for wanting to quit included legal consequences, vocational concerns, and health effects. The high rate of failed quit attempts suggested that effective cessation programs were genuinely needed, even as students doubted their value.
Key Numbers
842 students across 11 schools. 70% current marijuana users. Over 50% had tried to quit and failed. Self-help and punitive methods viewed as most effective.
How They Did This
Mixed-methods study with open-ended and multiple-choice surveys plus health educator-led focus groups. Two separate samples from eleven continuation high schools in southern California. Total N=842.
Why This Research Matters
This study revealed a gap between adolescent desire to quit marijuana and their ability to do so successfully, while also showing that existing programs were not meeting their needs. The finding that stress relief was the primary reason for continued use pointed to the need for alternative coping strategies in cessation programs.
The Bigger Picture
The disconnect between wanting to quit and being able to quit, combined with distrust of formal programs, highlighted a significant gap in adolescent substance use services. This study influenced the development of youth-specific cannabis cessation programs that addressed stress management and practical concerns.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Continuation high school students represent a specific high-risk population. Self-reported data without verification. The belief that punitive methods work does not necessarily mean they do. Focus groups may amplify dominant opinions.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why do adolescents trust self-help over professional programs?
- ?Could school-based programs that address stress management improve quit rates?
- ?Do the positive social images of marijuana use undermine cessation efforts?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Over half of adolescent marijuana users had tried to quit and failed
- Evidence Grade:
- A mixed-methods study with a large sample from a specific population. Provides rich qualitative and quantitative data but limited to continuation school students.
- Study Age:
- Published in 1999. Adolescent cannabis cessation approaches have evolved, but program engagement remains a challenge.
- Original Title:
- Factors in marijuana cessation among high-risk youth.
- Published In:
- Journal of drug education, 29(4), 337-57 (1999)
- Authors:
- Weiner, M D, Sussman, S(2), McCuller, W J, Lichtman, K
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00088
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do teens want to quit marijuana?
Yes. Interest in quitting was high, and over half had already attempted it. The barrier was not motivation but lack of effective support and strategies.
Why do they keep using?
Stress relief was the primary reason for continued use. Motivations for quitting included legal, vocational, and health concerns.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00088APA
Weiner, M D; Sussman, S; McCuller, W J; Lichtman, K. (1999). Factors in marijuana cessation among high-risk youth.. Journal of drug education, 29(4), 337-57.
MLA
Weiner, M D, et al. "Factors in marijuana cessation among high-risk youth.." Journal of drug education, 1999.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Factors in marijuana cessation among high-risk youth." RTHC-00088. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/weiner-1999-factors-in-marijuana-cessation
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.