Citation

Evans EA, Goldwater E, Stanek EJ, Brierley-Bowers P, Buchanan D, Whitehill JM. J. Psychoactive Drugs 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Haight-Ashbury Publications in association with the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic)

DOI

10.1080/02791072.2020.1850945

PMID

33242292

Abstract

We determined the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use in Massachusetts after recreational use was passed, but before recreational cannabis stores opened. A cross-sectional, population-based survey of Massachusetts adults, age 18 years or older, (n = 3,022) was conducted in November-December, 2017. We estimated population-level prevalence and correlates of past 30-day cannabis use. 21.1% [95% CI: 18.6, 23.6] of Massachusetts adults reported past 30-day cannabis use. Among cannabis users, 56.0% [CI 49.1, 62.9] reported non-medical cannabis use, 15.5% [12.1, 18.9] reported medical cannabis use, and 28.5% [CI 22.3, 34.8] reported both types of use. Men were more likely than women to use cannabis (Risk Ratio: 1.3 [CI 1.1, 1.6]), as were young adults (18-25 years old), those with lower socioeconomic status, non-parenting individuals, those who used alcohol (1.9 [CI 1.4, 2.6]) or other substances (1.7 [CI 1.3, 2.4]), and residents of Western Massachusetts (2.0 [1.3, 3.0]; ref: Boston area), the Northeast (1.8 [CI 1.2, 2.7]), and the Southeast (1.8 [CI 1.1, 2.7]). Cannabis is widely used in Massachusetts, with varying prevalence rates by gender, age, socioeconomic status, poly-substance use, and region.

FINDINGS may inform public health efforts and serve as a baseline for measuring health and social impacts of opening retail cannabis stores.

Language: en

Keywords

Massachusetts; prevalence; Cannabis; marijuana; legalization; non-medical cannabis