Rules and Limits in the Use of Marijuana among High-School Students: The Results of a Qualitative Study in Ontario

Abstract

Social norms that govern high-school students in their use of marijuana are examined. Attitudes toward marijuana and its use were discussed in 49 focus groups conducted in Ontario between 1996 and 1997. The participants numbered 278. Their remarks provide evidence for the existence of normative boundaries separating adolescents who use marijuana on an occasional and social basis from those who use it in isolation and on a frequent basis, as well as from those who abstain altogether. These boundaries, it is argued, effectively limit use, and would appear to be far more developed than those governing the same adolescents in their use of alcohol.

cannabis users' informal rules for managing stigma and risk

“…Cannabis has become part of mainstream culture for youth and otherwise conforming adults who do not abandon its use when more mature roles and responsibilities are assumed (Hathaway 1997b;Warner et al 1999;Pearson 2001;Williams and Parker 2001). There are signs of convergence, in sum, between the ways users see themselves as ordinary, non-deviant citizens and how they are identified by others (Hammersley et al 2001).…”

Perspectives on Cannabis Legalization Among Canadian Recreational Users

“…Since then, researchers on drug use and drug policy have elaborated on these ideas. While research on the normalization of a range of substances has been conducted, the available evidence strongly supports cannabis as the most normalized of illicit drugs (Hathaway, 1997a, 2004b; Lee & Kirkpatrick, 2005; Measham, Newcombe, & Parker, 1994; Osborne & Fogel, 2007, 2008; Parker, Alridge, & Measham, 2002; Warner, Room, & Adlaf, 1999; Warner, Weber, & Albanes, 1999). While qualitative research on the normalization of drug use has focused primarily on adolescents, earlier research made similar observations with regard to adult drug users (e.g., Goode, 1970; Plant, 1975; Zimmerman & Weider, 1977) and this research has continued (Dahl & Heggen, 2014; Kronbaek & Frank, 2013; Pearson, 2001; Sandberg, 2012; Shukla, 2005; Williams & Parker, 2001).…”

Relief-oriented use of marijuana by teens

“…The trend toward the use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes among adults raises questions regarding how this may influence young people's use of marijuana for similar reasons. Recent studies suggest that adolescents are aware that marijuana is sometimes used to gain relief from physical and psychological pain [ 22 - 24 ]. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that adolescents may be using marijuana for reasons that are analogous to adults who use marijuana for therapeutic reasons.…”