Cumulative Social Disadvantage and Medicinal Cannabis Use Among Younger Adults in Rural Communities: A Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Cannabis Research

Background:

• Rural communities face unique challenges, including cumulative social disadvantage (CSD).
• Younger adults in these areas often experience significant health disparities.
• Medicinal cannabis use (MUC) is prevalent, but its role in this demographic is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of medicinal cannabis use (MUC) among young adults (18-35) in rural California.
• To examine the association between cumulative social disadvantage (CSD) and health outcomes.
• To understand how MUC functions for individuals with varying levels of CSD.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach combining cross-sectional surveys and online interviews.
• 153 participants from rural California assessed for CSD, general health, and MUC.
• Qualitative analysis explored MUC's role in high vs. low CSD groups.

Main Results:

• High CSD was linked to poorer perceived physical and mental health.
• High CSD was associated with medicinal cannabis use (MUC), but not general cannabis use.
• Qualitative data revealed MUC's importance for stress reduction and health management in high CSD individuals.

Conclusions:

• Medicinal cannabis use (MUC) plays a significant role in managing health for rural young adults with high cumulative social disadvantage (CSD).
• Addressing social inequities, such as healthcare access, is vital in rural areas.
• Reducing health disparities may decrease reliance on MUC for managing physical and mental health.