Density of medical and recreational cannabis outlets: racial/ethnic differences in the associations with young adult intentions to use cannabis, e-cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine

Journal of Cannabis Research

Regina A. Shih¹  Michael S. Dunbar¹  Rachana Seelam¹  Elizabeth J. D’Amico¹  Aaron Kofner¹  Joan S. Tucker¹  Eric R. Pedersen²  Caislin Firth³ 

[1] RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St., 90407, Santa Monica, CA, USA;RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St., 90407, Santa Monica, CA, USA;Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA;RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St., 90407, Santa Monica, CA, USA;Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada;

关键词: Recreational cannabis;    Medical cannabis;    Marijuana;    E-cigarettes;    Cannabis/tobacco co-use;    Cannabis dispensary;    Cannabis retailers;    Density;    Young adults;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s42238-021-00084-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDifferences in access to medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and their associations with intentions to use cannabis have not yet been examined among young adults. This study compares the associations between densities of medical versus recreational cannabis outlets and young adults’ intentions to use cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine products. Racial/ethnic differences in these associations were examined.MethodsYoung adults ages 18–23 (mean age = 20.9) in Los Angeles County were surveyed online in 2018 after the legalization of recreational cannabis (n = 604). Multiple linear regressions were estimated for the entire sample and stratified by race/ethnicity. Outcomes were intentions to use cannabis, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine in the next 6 months. Density was measured as the number of medical cannabis dispensaries (MCDs), recreational cannabis retailers (RCRs), and outlets of any type within 5 miles of respondents’ homes.ResultsLiving near more outlets of any type was not significantly associated with intentions to use in the full sample, adjusting forindividual- and neighborhood-level characteristics. However, race/ethnicity-stratified models indicated that living near more outlets of any type and more RCRs were significantly associated with stronger co-use intentions among white young adults. Higher MCD density was marginally associated with stronger co-use intentions among Asian young adults. However, higher MCD density was significantly associated with lower intentions to use e-cigarettes among Hispanic young adults.ConclusionsThe results suggest racial/ethnic differences in the impact of living near cannabis outlets on intentions to use. Prevention efforts targeting young adults who live near more cannabis outlets may be especially beneficial for white and Asian young adults.

【 授权许可】

CC BY