Marijuana use among adults: a longitudinal study of current and former users

Abstract

This study examines the pattern of marijuana use among respondents who have passed the age of risk of onset, as well as some of the correlates related to the initiation and current use of marijuana. The data for this study included 8885 respondents drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience of Youth (NLSY). Based on cross-tabulations of lifetime marijuana use in 1984 and 1994, the following outcomes were examined: incidence of lifetime marijuana use, inconsistent reports of lifetime marijuana use, and current compared with former use. Controlling for the effects of all variables studied, significant and independent effects were noted for sociodemographic factors, former patterns of use, and the use of other substances.