Perceptions of Health Risks and Benefits of Cannabis Use Among College Students: Prevalence and Associations With Cannabis Use

Abstract

Objective: Health decision-making is influenced by perceived health risks and benefits. Greater understanding of these perceptions in college students, a population engaging in high rates of risky cannabis use, is needed. The primary aim of the current study was to examine both perceived risks and benefits of cannabis for short- and long-term health consequences and how these perceptions relate to cannabis use and related problems.

Method: Using a large, diverse college sample from 10 institutions across the United States (N = 2,354), this cross-sectional study assessed health perceptions of cannabis, cannabis use, and related problems. We examined endorsement of various health perceptions by cannabis use status (never, lifetime, current) and other demographic factors.

Results: Participants endorsed a number of health risks (e.g., birth defects, memory problems) and benefits (e.g., pain relief, anxiety reduction) associated with cannabis use. Overall, there was stronger endorsement of health risks than benefits, although this relationship was reversed for individuals who currently use. With a few exceptions, perceptions of health risks and benefits did not differ across demographic variables, including state-level legal status of cannabis. Among individuals reporting past-month use, benefit perceptions were associated with more frequent use, and risk perceptions were associated with less frequent use.

Conclusions: Detailed and nuanced understanding of perceived health risks and benefits could be used to identify common beliefs about cannabis and to develop prevention messaging and intervention targets, such as correcting normative beliefs or addressing misconceptions about the health risks and benefits of cannabis.