Age-Varying Associations Between Cannabis Use and Cannabis-Specific Risk Factors Among Latinx Youth in the United...

The prevalence of cannabis use has increased sharply from adolescence through young adulthood in recent U.S. cohorts. However, little is known about how cannabis-specific risk factors and their associations with use vary during these developmental periods. Understanding these associations among Latinx youth, the fastest-growing ethnic minority group, and within urbanicity groups, which may influence risk, is critical.

Data were from Latinx participants ages 14-29 (N=29,061) in the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Time-varying effect models were used to estimate age trends in any and weekly 30-day cannabis use and three key risk factors: perceived risk of monthly and weekly cannabis use and perceived ease of access. Additional models assessed age-varying associations between each risk factor and cannabis use. All models were stratified by urbanicity (large urban, small urban, and rural).

Cannabis use and perceived ease of access increased with age and peaked in early adulthood, whereas perceived risks of cannabis use declined with age. These developmental prevalence patterns were broadly similar across urbanicity groups. Risk factors were consistently associated with greater odds of cannabis use across the age range, with the strongest associations observed in early adolescence. Overall association patterns differed only slightly by urbanicity.

Findings highlight important developmental shifts in cannabis use and associated risk factors from adolescence through young adulthood among Latinx youth. Developmentally timed prevention strategies are needed to address rising cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood in this growing population.