Marijuana motives: young adults' reasons for using marijuana

Addict Behav. 2007 Jul;32(7):1384-94. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.09.010. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

Previous research has evaluated marijuana motives among adolescents and emerging adults using a predetermined set of motives, largely adapted from the alcohol literature. This research was designed to identify marijuana motives from the perspective of the user. Recent high school graduates who reported using marijuana (N=634) provided self-generated reasons for using. The most frequently reported reasons included enjoyment/fun, conformity, experimentation, social enhancement, boredom, and relaxation. Regression analyses revealed that experimentation was consistently associated with less use and fewer problems whereas enjoyment, habit, activity enhancement, and altered perception or perspectives were associated with heavier use and more problems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / psychology*
  • Motivation*
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors