Determinants of Cannabis Initiation and Cessation among Berlin College Students – A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: As a big European city famous for its party scene, Berlin attracts college students that are a high-risk population for cannabis use and use disorder. College years are often associated with new behavior patterns, but the factors leading to cannabis initiation are rarely studied past adolescence. This study describes the longitudinal evolution of college students’ cannabis use over two years and its correlates. Method: Data was collected among all students of Berlin’s public colleges via two online surveys (N = 1,201, mean interval = 16 months). Multivariable binary logistic regressions were performed on four outcomes: regular use, use initiation, use reduction and use cessation. Several dimensions of covariates were used: socio-demographic factors, psychological (locus of control, impulsivity, psychiatric diagnosis), behavioral (other substance use), perceived harm, declared intention to reduce and setting of cannabis use. Results: Overall, the majority of respondents did not change their cannabis use. The factors for use initiation (impulsivity, tobacco and alcohol use) were not fully symmetric to the factors leading to cutting down/quitting (locus of control, perceived harm, tobacco use). Perceived harm had an impact on quitting, but not on reducing use. The intention to reduce did not significantly predict subsequent use behavior. Most regular users use cannabis at home, which was associated with a low probability to reduce. Conclusions: No simple symmetry exists between correlates of initiation and cessation: tobacco co-use is important for both, while impulsivity and alcohol use lead to initiation and internal locus of control facilitates cessation.

Keywords:

• Marijuana
• substance use disorder
• young adults
• university
• onset

Disclosure statement of interests statement

FB received compensations as a lecturer and scientific advisor from Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Author contributions

Helene Naegele: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing—original draft, visualization; Leonard Viohl: Data curation, project administration; Antonia Bendau: Conceptualization, methodology, writing—review & editing; Stefanie Helmer-Ohlmeier: Conceptualization, methodology; Moritz Petzold: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing—review & editing, supervision; Felix Betzler: Conceptualization, methodology, data curation, project administration, writing—review & editing, supervision

Data availability statement

The original data is available on request to the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.