Cannabis: What Makes University Students More or Less Likely to Use It?

ABSTRACT

University students' motivations for using or not using cannabis were investigated. Students (n = 189) aged 17 to 29 years completed a survey to assess their intention to use cannabis and their beliefs about (a) advantages and disadvantages of using cannabis; (b) their perceptions of what significant others think they should do in relation to cannabis use; and (c) factors that might encourage them to use or not use cannabis. Two weeks later, they completed a follow-up survey asking about their actual behavior over the previous 2 weeks. Compared to non-users, users believed more strongly that cannabis would help them fit in with their friends, feel relaxed, forget their worries, and enjoy themselves. They also believed that their close friends, partner/spouse, siblings, and workmates would approve of their using cannabis. Users believed that certain factors (e.g., force of habit, wanting to relax, feeling stressed, being around other people using cannabis) would encourage them to use, while non-users rated work and study as strong reasons for not using cannabis. Beliefs that are relevant to users and non-users in education campaigns can be targeted to reduce the negative consequences of use in tertiary settings.