Changes in Late Adolescent Marijuana Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak Vary as a Function of Typical Use

Abstract

Adolescent marijuana use is a significant public health concern given that many individuals first begin using during this developmental period and an earlier age of onset is prospectively associated with numerous marijuana misuse outcomes. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines across the United States. For many adolescents, these orders resulted in a number of changes that could alter one’s marijuana use including changes to marijuana availability, parental supervision, amount of free time, and stress levels. Despite these possible changes, the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on adolescent marijuana use are unknown. The aims of this analysis were to 1) assess changes to marijuana use among late adolescents related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and 2) examine whether these changes vary as a function of one’s pre-COVID-19 levels of use. Data described here come from a screening survey for a larger study which was completed by 156 adolescents (ages 14-18, 78% male) after the stay-at-home order was put in place in Washington state on March 23rd, 2020. All participants completed a self-report questionnaire that included demographic information, marijuana use, and changes to marijuana use following the state’s stay-at-home order. In the sample, 55 participants described themselves as never having tried marijuana, and none of these participants reported having used during the COVID-19 outbreak. Of the 101 participants who reported any prior marijuana use, 44 reported stopping or decreasing their use as a result of COVID-19, 30 reported using similar amounts as before, and 27 reported increased marijuana use as a result of COVID-19. A chi-square test of independence revealed that changes in use significantly varied as a function of pre-COVID-19 levels of use, X2 (2, N = 98) = 29.79, p < .001. The odds of irregular and light marijuana users decreasing their use was 13.73 times higher than moderate and heavy users. Moderate and heavy users had higher odds of maintaining their current use (5.04 times higher) and increasing their use (3.07 times higher) compared to irregular and light users during the COVID-19 outbreak. Primary reasons given for decreasing use included decreased availability and less socialization. Primary reasons for increasing use included more free time, fewer responsibilities, and coping with stress and anxiety. The findings suggest that although marijuana use may appear to decrease on average across a range of late adolescents that vary according to their regular use, these decreases are not likely among moderate and heavy users who may actually be at increased risk of marijuana misuse during the COVID-19 outbreak.