Marijuana Use on a College Campus: Results of Student Administered Research Laurel Sharmer, PhD,...

Marijuana Use on a College Campus: Results of Student Administered

Research


Research

Laurel Sharmer, PhD, MPH, CHES

Roopa M Korni, MD

State University of New York Potsdam

Laurel Sharmer, PhD, MPH, CHES

Roopa M Korni, MD

State University of New York Potsdam

Marijuana Use on a College Campus: Results of Student Administered Research


Presentation Summary

What research was conducted Why it was conducted How it was conducted Results of the research

Presentation Summary

What research was conducted Why it was conducted How it was conducted Results of the research


The Research Subject


The Research Subject

Why was this research conducted?

Double digit increases in the prevalence of self-reported marijuana use among college students between 1993 and 1999.

Why was this research conducted?

Double digit increases in the prevalence of self-reported marijuana use among college students between 1993 and 1999.


Issues


Issues

The validity of self-reported behavior is always a limitation in survey research.

Validity is of even greater concern when the survey is probing illegal behavior.

Since marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, and its use a federal crime, surveys of marijuana use by college students conducted by those in positions of authority may wind up underreporting the prevalence of use by college students.

The validity of self-reported behavior is always a limitation in survey research.

Validity is of even greater concern when the survey is probing illegal behavior.

Since marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, and its use a federal crime, surveys of marijuana use by college students conducted by those in positions of authority may wind up underreporting the prevalence of use by college students.


Research Methods


Research Methods

Honors Drug Studies Students at SUNY Potsdam

Quantitative Research in Spring 2002

Qualitative Research in Spring 2003

Honors Drug Studies Students at SUNY Potsdam

Quantitative Research in Spring 2002

Qualitative Research in Spring 2003


Quantitative Methods



Survey Development Survey Administration Data Analysis Report Writing

IRB Approval March, 2002

Survey Development Survey Administration Data Analysis Report Writing

IRB Approval March, 2002





Sample Selection

Tuesday/Thursday 11:00AM-12:15PM 500 Students Enrolled in Sample

Professors Agreed

Sample Selection

Tuesday/Thursday 11:00AM-12:15PM 500 Students Enrolled in Sample

Professors Agreed





Survey AdministrationInformed consent

Anonymous and voluntaryProfessors asked to leave the

room

Survey AdministrationInformed consent

Anonymous and voluntaryProfessors asked to leave the

room


Quantitative Survey Results



313 students completed surveysDemographics matched the

larger campus

313 students completed surveysDemographics matched the

larger campus





50% were users 55% of men and 45% of women

68% had used at least once

50% were users 55% of men and 45% of women

68% had used at least once


Quantitative Survey Results (Users)



63% had used in the last week 11% reported “today” as last use

40% used “always” or “sometimes” while working

50% have gone to class high 32% have taken a test while high

63% had used in the last week 11% reported “today” as last use

40% used “always” or “sometimes” while working

50% have gone to class high 32% have taken a test while high





13% buy marijuana on campus 25% have sold it themselves 32% spend more than $100 a year on marijuana

6% had been arrested or cited for use

13% buy marijuana on campus 25% have sold it themselves 32% spend more than $100 a year on marijuana

6% had been arrested or cited for use





Statement Percentage who “agree” or “strongly agree” Users Nonusers “Driving while high is just as dangerous as driving while drunk.”

33%

81%

“Nonusers do not use marijuana because it is illegal.”

38%

20%

“When I know someone uses marijuana, I do not respect him/her.”

5%

11%

“I would not mind if my children used marijuana.”

27%

5%





Statistical Associations No statistically significant associations between marijuana use and:

GPA Age

Major Year in school

Statistical Associations No statistically significant associations between marijuana use and:

GPA Age

Major Year in school





Statistical Associations Statistically significant associations between marijuana use and:

Greek membership Cigarette smoking Living off campus

Urban hometown Parental use

Statistical Associations Statistically significant associations between marijuana use and:

Greek membership Cigarette smoking Living off campus

Urban hometown Parental use


Limitations - Quantitative Survey


Limitations - Quantitative Survey

Self reported behavior

40% of students enrolled in the sample were not present during survey administration

Some students may have been high while completing the survey

Self reported behavior

40% of students enrolled in the sample were not present during survey administration

Some students may have been high while completing the survey


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods

Qualitative Research Methods

Students developed a survey Interviewed a convenience sample (n=22) IRB Approval, March 2003

Qualitative Research Methods

Students developed a survey Interviewed a convenience sample (n=22) IRB Approval, March 2003


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods

The survey questionsThe survey questions


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods

The Qualitative Survey Questions

Do you smoke marijuana?

If yes: How frequently? Why do you choose to use it?

If no: Have you ever tried marijuana in the past?For never used: Why do you choose not to use it?For used in the past but not now: Why do you choose not to use it now?


Do you smoke marijuana?

If yes: How frequently? Why do you choose to use it?

If no: Have you ever tried marijuana in the past?For never used: Why do you choose not to use it?For used in the past but not now: Why do you choose not to use it now?


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods


“What are your thoughts on the debate about whether or not marijuana use affects the ability of students to

perform well in class?”


“What are your thoughts on the debate about whether or not marijuana use affects the ability of students to

perform well in class?”


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods


“The issue of marijuana legalization involves many aspects, including

decriminalization, medical marijuana, and programs that send users to drug treatment

in lieu of incarceration. What is your opinion regarding this issue?”


“The issue of marijuana legalization involves many aspects, including

decriminalization, medical marijuana, and programs that send users to drug treatment

in lieu of incarceration. What is your opinion regarding this issue?”


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods


“How much of an issue do you believe marijuana use is on

this campus?”


“How much of an issue do you believe marijuana use is on

this campus?”


Qualitative Methods


Qualitative Methods


“What do you believe are the effects of marijuana - both

positive and negative?”


“What do you believe are the effects of marijuana - both

positive and negative?”


Qualitative Results Selected Responses


Qualitative Results Selected Responses

“As long as they’re not high while they’re in class, I don’t see why it’s a problem.” (User)

“…marijuana hinders you from achieving your goals in life and I believe that it doesn’t help you to be constructive with your time. My family would be disappointed in me if I used it.” (Nonuser)

“As long as they’re not high while they’re in class, I don’t see why it’s a problem.” (User)

“…marijuana hinders you from achieving your goals in life and I believe that it doesn’t help you to be constructive with your time. My family would be disappointed in me if I used it.” (Nonuser)


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses“…I don’t think they should legalize marijuana,

cause if it’s easy to get then…. I don’t know, I mean it’s pretty easy to get now, like you can get it whenever you pretty much want.” (User)

“Actually, I think it should be legal, because if it was legal then I don’t think a lot of people would do it.” (Nonuser)

“…I don’t think they should legalize marijuana, cause if it’s easy to get then…. I don’t know, I mean it’s pretty easy to get now, like you can get it whenever you pretty much want.” (User)

“Actually, I think it should be legal, because if it was legal then I don’t think a lot of people would do it.” (Nonuser)


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses

“…sometimes it makes people concentrate better.” (User)

“I’m just happy with the way my life is and I don’t want to depend on drugs to feel differently.” (Nonuser)

“…sometimes it makes people concentrate better.” (User)

“I’m just happy with the way my life is and I don’t want to depend on drugs to feel differently.” (Nonuser)


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses

“I think people try to make it more of an issue than it actually is.” “I think that it’s probably not a huge problem…from what I’ve seen it’s not.” (User)

“I think it’s a fairly large issue. I think the majority of students here use it.” (Nonuser)

“I think people try to make it more of an issue than it actually is.” “I think that it’s probably not a huge problem…from what I’ve seen it’s not.” (User)

“I think it’s a fairly large issue. I think the majority of students here use it.” (Nonuser)


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses


Qualitative Results

Selected Responses

“I would guess that about 10% of the student body uses marijuana at some point during the school year. I’ve seen ample evidence that it does affect performance.” (Professor)

“Oh, a lot of people use it, but it’s not a huge issue.” (Occasional user)

“I would guess that about 10% of the student body uses marijuana at some point during the school year. I’ve seen ample evidence that it does affect performance.” (Professor)

“Oh, a lot of people use it, but it’s not a huge issue.” (Occasional user)



Issues:

Most users want the drug to remain illegal.

Most nonusers want the drug legalized. Professors may underestimate the extent of use among students.

Issues:

Most users want the drug to remain illegal.

Most nonusers want the drug legalized. Professors may underestimate the extent of use among students.



Issues

What can explain research that shows negative cognitive effects from marijuana use, and this research that shows no statistical difference between marijuana use and GPA?

Issues

What can explain research that shows negative cognitive effects from marijuana use, and this research that shows no statistical difference between marijuana use and GPA?



Issues:

Most non-using students still respect student users.

Users may seriously underestimate the effects of driving while high.

Large number of students are buying and selling on campus.

What should be the role of campus police and administrators?

Issues:

Most non-using students still respect student users.

Users may seriously underestimate the effects of driving while high.

Large number of students are buying and selling on campus.

What should be the role of campus police and administrators?



What is the solution?What is the solution?

Thank You

Marijuana Use on a College Campus: Results of Student Administered Research Laurel Sharmer, PhD,...

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