A Scoping Review of Interventions for U.S. College Students’ Harmful Cannabis Use and a Call for a College Cannabis Intervention Matrix

Abstract

We aimed to identify interventions for college students’ harmful cannabis use in the United States (U.S.) and determine whether (and what type of) additional randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are needed. We conducted a scoping review of RCTs of individual-focused cannabis interventions for U.S. college students. Database searches yielded 13 RCTs—seven interventions were effective. Effective interventions typically comprised one session, representing various modalities and intervention types (e.g., personalized feedback interventions [PFIs]; brief motivational interventions [BMIs]), and reduced frequency of cannabis use or consequences in the target population across variable follow-up periods. Single-session PFIs and BMIs that engage subgroups reporting cannabis-related consequences may be effective. There is a need for a tool like the College Alcohol Intervention Matrix, but focused on cannabis prevention, to increase the dissemination and uptake of effective, evidence-based strategies. Researchers are called on to fill gaps and strengthen content within a possible College Cannabis Intervention Matrix (149/150).