Reasons for synthetic THC use among college students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Substance Use Research
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Synthetic THC, often called fake marijuana, is prevalent among US college students.
• Understanding the motivations behind its use is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary reasons for recent synthetic THC consumption in a college student population.
• To identify common sources of synthetic THC acquisition among students.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 339 college students during scheduled class times.
• Data collected included reasons for use, demographics, and sources of acquisition.

Main Results:

• The main reported reasons for synthetic THC use were curiosity, achieving a high, and the enjoyment of the high.
• No significant differences in reasons for use were observed based on sex or academic grade.
• Head shops were identified as the most frequent source for obtaining synthetic THC.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need for educational and intervention programs to address high rates of synthetic THC use among college students.
• Results can inform college health professionals in developing prevention strategies.