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171 Temporal Trends in Young Adult Cannabis and Tobacco Use in Relationship to Cannabis Policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2024

Allison Glasser
Affiliation:
Rutgers University
Caitlin Uriarte
Affiliation:
Rutgers University
Kymberle Sterling
Affiliation:
Rutgers University
Ce Shang
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
David Hammond
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
Andrea Villanti
Affiliation:
Rutgers University
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Abstract

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OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Cannabis laws may impact cannabis and tobacco use, given high prevalence of co-use of these products among young adults (YAs). The objective of this study was to examine trends in YA any cannabis, blunt, cigarette, and cigar use from 2002-2018 in states that passed adult and medical use (AMU) or medical use only (MUO) cannabis laws during that time (N=16). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we conducted a segmented regression analysis to calculate absolute percent change (APC) in past 30-day cannabis and tobacco use between time points. The National Cancer Institute’s Joinpoint software was used to also estimate points of inflection (Joinpoints) when the slope of a trend significantly (p<0.05) changes. Separate models were estimated for each state, with time as the independent variable measured in years. Up to three Joinpoints per model were allowed. The model with optimal Joinpoints was determined using a model selection criterion via a permutation test. Joinpoints and APCs were compared with key legalization dates to describe patterns within and across states with varying cannabis policies. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Generally, the 16 states showed a steady decline in YA cigarette smoking over time, a slight decline in cigar smoking, and increases in cannabis and blunt use. AMU states had lower average 2018 prevalence of cigarette smoking than MUO states (18.3% vs. 21.5%) and higher cannabis use (32.3% vs. 21.3%). Cannabis use consistently increased following opening of MUO retail outlets. Generally, there appears to be a slight delay in cannabis use increases following AMU laws, and in some states temporary declines. For example, Washington experienced an initial decrease (-20.3%) following AMU passage (2012) then increase (+16.3%) after retail dispensaries opened in 2014. In AMU states, blunt use has surpassed cigar smoking, while in MUO states, the prevalence of blunt and cigar use is similar. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Introduction of cannabis laws are correlated with increases in YA cannabis and blunt use, with higher cannabis use in AMU states. Trends may also correlate other state political, economic, or social factors. Joinpoint regression can assess changes in a policy’s target behavior with no a priori assumptions regarding timing of policy effects.

Type
Evaluation
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science