Marijuana Use and Driving Under the Influence among Young Adults: A Socioecological Perspective on Risk Factors

ABSTRACT

Background: Given increases in marijuana use and driving under the influence (DUI), it is critical to identify those at risk in order to inform intervention efforts. Objectives: We used a socioecological framework to examine correlates of level of marijuana use and DUI in the past month among young adult marijuana users. Methods: We recruited 1567 participants aged 18–34 years via Facebook ads targeting tobacco and marijuana users in August 2014 to complete an online survey assessing marijuana use and DUI, as well as related multilevel factors. Analyses focused on 649 participants reporting past 30-day marijuana use. Results: The sample was an average age of 24.48 (SD = 5.10), 43.9% female, and 76.4% White and used marijuana an average of 17.86 (SD = 11.29) days in the past month. Notably, 48.4% reported driving after marijuana use at least once in the past month, and 74.0% were passengers. Multivariable regression indicated that greater use was associated with: being older; being male; greater symptoms of dependence; residing in a state with recreational marijuana legalized; having a medical marijuana card; having parents and more friends who use; higher coping motives; lower perceived harm to health; and less concern about driving after marijuana use (adjusted R-squared = 0.294). Correlates of driving after using marijuana in the past month included: being younger; more frequent use; having more friends who use; higher enhancement motives; and less concern about driving after using (Nagelkerke R-squared = 0.442). Conclusions/Importance: Interventions and campaigns should address social norms and risk perceptions regarding marijuana use, particularly as it relates to DUI.

KEYWORDS:

• Marijuana use
• driving under the influence
• risk factors
• risk perceptions
• young adults

Statement of ethical approval

The Emory University Institutional Review Board approved this study, IRB# 00073636.

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute (1R01CA179422-01; 1K07CA139114-01A1; PI: Berg).