Highlights The impact of the age at onset of cannabis use on the risk of both cannabis dependence and driving under the influence of cannabis has not been evaluated. We used data from a large, nationally representative survey (the NESARC). Among those who ever used cannabis, 5.15% reported having been driving under the influence of cannabis. Compared to those who start using cannabis at age 21 years or after, participants who used cannabis before the age of 14 years were 4 times more likely to have a history of cannabis dependence and 3 times more likely to reported having been driving under the influence of cannabis. Our study shows that starting to smoke cannabis younger than 21 years is associated with both having experienced cannabis dependence and driving under the influence of cannabis.

    Abstract Background and aims There is growing evidence that driving under the influence of cannabis is associated with a higher risk of motor vehicle crash. Cannabis dependence has been reported to be associated with a three-fold increased risk of motor vehicle crash. The impact of the age at onset of cannabis use on the risk of both cannabis dependence and driving under the influence of cannabis has not been evaluated so far. Methods Data were drawn from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a survey of 43,093 adults aged 18 years and older. We limited our analyses to the sample of participants who reported having ever used cannabis (n =8172), of whom 8068 had a known age at onset of cannabis use. Results Of the 8068 participants included, 5.15% reported having driven under the influence of cannabis. Among those, only a minority (14.46%) were diagnosed with cannabis dependence. Compared to those who start using cannabis at age 21 years or after, participants who used cannabis before the age of 14 years were 4 times more likely to have a history of cannabis dependence and 3 times more likely to reported having driven under the influence of cannabis. An inverse relationship between the age at onset of cannabis use and driving under the influence and risk of cannabis dependence was found. Conclusions Starting to smoke cannabis younger than 21 years is associated with both cannabis dependence and driving under the influence of cannabis.


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    Titel :

    Impact of age at onset of cannabis use on cannabis dependence and driving under the influence in the United States


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2014-12-16


    Format / Umfang :

    5 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch






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