Medical marijuana legalization and cigarette and marijuana co-use in adolescents and adults. (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Julie B.; Ramo, Danielle E.; Lisha, Nadra E.; Cataldo, Janine K.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 166(2016)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Cigarette -- Marijuana -- Co-use -- Medical marijuana policy -- Nicotine dependence -- Tobacco control; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Cigarette and marijuana co-use was higher where medical marijuana was legal. Co-users were at greater risk of nicotine dependence across age categories. Marijuana policies could inadvertently affect co-use and tobacco control. Abstract: Background: Medical marijuana legalization is associated with a higher prevalence of marijuana use which may affect cigarette use and nicotine dependence in co-users. In the present study, we examined relationships between statewide legalization of medical marijuana and prevalence of cigarette and marijuana co-use and nicotine dependence in co-using adolescents and adults. Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We compared cigarette and marijuana co-use in the past 30 days across age categories (12–64 years) by statewide medical marijuana legalization. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of having nicotine dependence among current cigarette smokers who also reported past 30-day marijuana use and "ever but not current" marijuana use (vs. "never" use) adjusting for covariates including statewide legalization of medical marijuana. Results: Overall, 5.1% of the sample reported past 30-day cigarette and marijuana co-use and a higher proportion of co-users resided in states where medical marijuana was legal compared to illegal (5.8% vs. 4.8%; p=0.0011). Co-use was associated with greater odds of having nicotine dependence compared to cigarette-only use across age categories. Odds were highest and up to 3-times higher in adolescents aged 12–17 years (OR = 3.54; 95%CI: 1.81-6.92) and adults aged 50–64 years (OR = 3.08; CI: 1.45-6.55). Conclusion: Marijuana policy could inadvertently affect cigarette and marijuana co-use and pose challenges to tobacco cessation.