Abstract
Purpose
Little is known regarding cannabis administration routes for nonmedical use—that is,
its delivery methods (e.g., joints, water pipe, food). Therefore, we examined the
prevalence rates of different cannabis delivery methods and assessed the relationship
of the distinct administration routes with problematic drug use. Subgroups of cannabis
users were also investigated (i.e., “pure” cannabis users, previously described as
employing a harmless route of administration, and water pipe users, previously described
as using a harmful route of administration).
Methods
As part of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors, 1,763 cannabis users answered
questions concerning their drug use (i.e., routes of administration, problematic cannabis
use, other illicit drug use). Descriptive statistics, latent class analysis, correlations
and t-tests were assessed.
Results
The main administration route was “joints with tobacco”; other routes of administration
had prevalence rates from 23.99% to 38.23%. In addition, increasing the number of
administration routes was associated with more problematic cannabis use, as well as
heavier illicit drug use. Water pipes without tobacco were especially linked to heavy
drug use patterns, whereas “pure” cannabis use seemed less harmful.
Conclusions
Our findings highlighted that diversification in routes of administration can be associated
with heavier illicit drug use. This was especially true for water pipe users, whereas
“pure” cannabis users, who did not mix cannabis with tobacco, were an exception. Indeed,
these results may be useful for future preventive programs, which may need to focus
on those who have diversified routes of administration for cannabis.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 11, 2013
Accepted:
August 22,
2013
Received:
June 4,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
