What did you expect?: The interaction between cigarette and blunt vs. non-blunt marijuana use among African American young adults

ABSTRACT

Background: In an effort to inform prevention and treatment interventions, the current study examined the expectancies around the co-use of marijuana and cigarettes among African-American young adults. Methods: An anonymous online survey recruited African-American adults (N = 111) aged 18–29 who reported past-month marijuana and cigarette co-use. Participants completed the 14-item Nicotine and Marijuana Interaction Expectancy (NAMIE) questionnaire, with three scales: (1) marijuana use increases tobacco use and urges, (2) tobacco use increases marijuana use and urges, and (3) smoking to cope with marijuana urges. Participants also answered questions about marijuana and tobacco initiation and use. Analyses were conducted separately for blunt co-users (i.e., blunt and cigarette use) and non-blunt co-users (i.e., non-blunt marijuana and cigarette use). Results: A majority of co-users (66%) used blunts as a form of co-use. Non-blunt co-users had higher expectancy scores on NAMIE scales 2 and 3 than blunt co-users. However, only blunt co-users showed a positive association between severity of marijuana use and NAMIE scales 2 (p < 0.01) and 3 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Findings provide further evidence for the use of the NAMIE and suggest a need to assess and address expectations regarding co-use in prevention and treatment interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• African Americans
• blunts
• cigarettes