Abstract
Purpose
Adolescent health surveillance systems are critical for understanding patterns of
cannabis use; however, their limitations underscore the need for studies that generate
new insights, particularly from individuals who are most impacted by negative outcomes.
Our objectives were to learn about youths' cannabis use and their perceptions of their
peers' cannabis use; their perspectives about trajectories of cannabis use over time
and factors that influence trajectories; and perceived risks and benefits associated
with cannabis use.
Methods
A group model building approach was used to gather data about cannabis use from a
sample of urban, Black youth. Information about participants' cannabis use was assessed
on eligibility screener, enrollment survey, and through structured activities over
the course of four group model building workshops.
Results
Participants [(n = 20) mean age 18; 35% male and 95% Black] exclusively used the terms
weed and blunts for cannabis. Youth who consume peers' blunts would not characterize
themselves as cannabis users. Collectively, youth estimated the majority of Baltimore
youth used cannabis by age 16 and that most used daily. Youth described cannabis as
more beneficial than harmful. There were no gender differences in prevalence of use,
but there were gender dynamics to shared use.
Discussion
Participatory research with urban, Black youth suggests youths' perceptions are misaligned
with the ways that researchers conceptualize cannabis use. To better understand the
scope of youth cannabis use and its harms, it is critical to leverage input from youth
with lived experience to ensure survey tools adequately capture the way youth see
themselves using cannabis.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 26, 2022
Accepted:
September 17,
2022
Received:
March 22,
2022
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
