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Let's Be Blunt: Consumption Methods Matter Among Black Marijuana Smokers
LaTrice Montgomery1, Kara Bagot2
1Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Program, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
|May 13, 2016
Summary
Black marijuana smokers who use blunts, hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana, start using marijuana earlier and more frequently. Blunt use is linked to higher marijuana abuse or dependence risk, particularly in Black females.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Substance Use Research
- Cannabis Studies
Background:
- Blunt use is prevalent among Black marijuana smokers, yet differences between blunt and traditional joint users are understudied.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence and patterns of blunt use versus other marijuana use methods among Black adults.
- To identify specific risks associated with blunt smoking in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 935 Black past-month marijuana smokers from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Comparison of demographic and usage patterns between blunt users and other marijuana users.
Main Results:
- 73.2% of Black marijuana smokers were identified as blunt users.
- Blunt users initiated marijuana use at a younger age (15.9 vs. 17.3 years) and reported more frequent use (16 vs. 8 days/month).
- Blunt-using Black females showed significantly higher odds of past-year marijuana abuse or dependence (23.8%) compared to other marijuana users (11.2%).
Conclusions:
- Blunt use represents a distinct pattern of marijuana consumption within the Black community.
- Targeted interventions are needed for blunt users, especially Black females, due to elevated risks of marijuana use disorder.
- Further research should explore the specific factors contributing to these observed differences.