U.S. College Students' Marijuana Information Sources, Confidence in Knowledge, and Objective Knowledge

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cannabis Research
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• Marijuana use is increasing among US college students, with declining risk perception.
• Limited research exists on marijuana information sources and their impact on student knowledge.
• Understanding these sources is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify primary sources of marijuana information for college students.
• To examine the relationship between information sources, objective knowledge, and confidence in knowledge.
• To explore these factors within a recreational marijuana legal state context.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed a convenience sample of 249 college students in a recreational marijuana legal state.
• Assessed students' primary sources of marijuana information.
• Measured objective marijuana knowledge and confidence in that knowledge.

Main Results:

• Peers and media were the most utilized marijuana information sources.
• Peer/media source use correlated with lower objective knowledge but higher confidence in knowledge.
• Parental and educational sources were perceived as important but less frequently used than siblings.

Conclusions:

• Peers and media significantly influence college students' marijuana knowledge and confidence.
• The disconnect between perceived and actual knowledge highlights a public health concern.
• Further research is needed to address misinformation and enhance accurate health knowledge regarding marijuana.