Cannabis use poses a critical public health concern in the United States, with significant mental and physical health implications, particularly impacting young adults aged 18-25. Previous studies have demonstrated that the perception of risk strongly influences cannabis use behaviors, with individuals perceiving higher risks being less likely to use cannabis. While existing studies have explored the relationship between risk perception and cannabis use within specific age groups, there is limited understanding of how this relationship varies across age groups. Addressing this gap, the current study aims to investigate the interaction between age group and perceived risk in shaping past 30-day cannabis use.
The study utilized data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) public use dataset, which surveyed non-institutionalized individuals aged 12 and older in the United States. The dataset consisted of 58,034 participants and included variables such as gender (Female, Male), race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Other), age groups (12-17, 18-25, 26-34, 25-49, and older), risk perception of cannabis use (1= no risk, 2 = low risk, 3= slight risk, 4= great risk), and cannabis use in the past 30 days. The analysis was conducted using a binary logistic regression model that accounted for the complex survey design. The dependent variable was past 30-day cannabis use, while the independent variables included risk perception of cannabis use and age. Gender, race/ethnicity, and age group were included as covariates in the model.
The findings revealed that individuals perceiving no/low risk had a significantly higher likelihood of cannabis use compared to those perceiving slight/great risk. The probability of past 30-day cannabis use was lowest among adolescents aged 12-17 (11%) and peaked for young adults aged 18-25 (31%), declining across older age groups. Notably, the largest differences in risk perception were observed in the 18-25 and 26-34 age groups compared to other age groups, indicating that these age groups exhibit greater variability in their perception of cannabis-related risks. This variability highlights the importance of targeted interventions that address the unique challenges and perceptions within these critical transitional periods. The study findings emphasize adolescence as a crucial period for preventive interventions, as the prefrontal cortex and attitudes are still developing, making accurate risk information more impactful. Additionally, the study suggests the importance of educational strategies targeting adolescents, supported by parental and community involvement, to shape informed risk perceptions and reduce cannabis use in later life stages.
Takeaway: Addressing the perceived risk of cannabis use at younger ages, specifically adolescence, may be a critical prevention strategy for later cannabis use.