Cannabis Growers in the United States: Findings From a National Household Survey 2010−2014

• Date: 01 July 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/00220426211000457
• Published date: 01 July 2021
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426211000457

Journal of Drug Issues

2021, Vol. 51(3) 518 –530

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/00220426211000457

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Article

Cannabis Growers in the United

States: Findings From a National

Household Survey 2010−2014

Alejandro Azofeifa1, Rosalie L. Pacula2,

and Margaret E. Mattson3

Abstract

Given the rapidly changing U.S. cannabis legislation landscape, the aim of this article is to describe

individuals who self-reported growing cannabis in the past year by selected characteristics and

geographical location. Using data from 2010 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,

we conducted bivariate chi-square tests and ran a multivariable logistic regression model to

examine the indicators associated with growing cannabis. Approximately, 484,000 individuals

aged 12+ self-reported growing cannabis in the past year (1.6% of marijuana users). Predictors

of growing cannabis included being male and self-reported reporting using cannabis for a greater

number of days. Data showed differences in the proportion of cannabis growers by the state

of residence. Obtaining a baseline estimate of cannabis growing practices prior to recreational

cannabis markets emerging (2014) is important because such practices may undermine efforts

to discourage diversion to youth. Tracking these acquisition patterns will better inform content

for public health messaging and prevention education, particularly those targeting youth.

Keywords

growers, cannabis, marijuana, United States, market, NSDUH

Introduction

Since 1996, 32 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have allowed the use of cannabis for

medical reasons (Law Atlas Project, Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2017; National

Conference of State Legislatures, 2019). Although many scholars have considered the impact of

these policies in terms of their potential benefits and harms (Anderson et al., 2013; Caulkins

et al., 2015, 2016; Cerdá et al., 2020; Kilmer, 2019; McGinty et al., 2016; Sabia & Nguyen, 2018;

Shover & Humphreys, 2019), one area receiving considerably less attention is the impact of these

liberalization policies on personal cannabis cultivation. Personal cannabis cultivation could be

valuable as an alternative source of supply for some individuals and/or patients, as it enables

consumers to avoid paying higher prices for these products and allows consumers to generate

1Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

2University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

3Independent Scholar, Rockville, MD, USA

Corresponding Author:

Alejandro Azofeifa, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University, 1903 W Michigan Avenue,

Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5331, USA.

Email: alejandro.azofeifa@wmich.edu

1000457JODXXX10.1177/00220426211000457Journal of Drug IssuesAzofeifa et al.

research-article2021