Investigating How Decisions to Use Marijuana Change Over Time

Abstract

This article examines illicit drug use from a decision-making perspective using data collected during 2000–2002 from 51 current and ex-users of marijuana in a large urban city in the central/southwest United States. A qualitative inductive approach based on grounded theory guided the analyses. We find that prior to experimentation and use, decision-making processes are general and nonspecific. In the later stages of drug involvement, decision-making processes become drug-specific. Individuals consider a number of different types of factors when making decisions about illicit drug use involvement. The study's implications and limitations are discussed and future research suggested.

Keywords:

• rational choice
• illicit drug use
• initiation
• cessation
• marijuana use