Characterizing Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder in a Sample of College Students

• Author: Michael M. Phillips,Kerry D. Duck,Kristina T. Phillips,Mackenzie E. Shrake,Trent L. Lalonde,Alexa J. Pellegrino,Dylan P. J. Kriescher
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042620936655
• Date: 01 October 2020
• Published date: 01 October 2020
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042620936655

Journal of Drug Issues

2020, Vol. 50(4) 524 –537

© The Author(s) 2020

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042620936655

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Article

Characterizing Symptoms of

Cannabis Use Disorder in a

Sample of College Students

Alexa J. Pellegrino1, Kerry D. Duck2, Dylan P. J. Kriescher1,

Mackenzie E. Shrake1, Michael M. Phillips1, Trent L. Lalonde1,

and Kristina T. Phillips3

Abstract

Since the legalization of marijuana in several U.S. states in 2012, there has been concern about

increases in the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). The current study examined

rates of CUD in Colorado college students who reported regular marijuana use and assessed

a range of factors associated with CUD symptoms, including coping motives, concentrate/dab

use, mental health concerns (depression, anxiety), age of regular marijuana use, and alcohol

use. College students were recruited from a mid-sized university and completed a baseline

assessment that included a marijuana urine screen. Participants reported a median of five CUD

symptoms and 90% met criteria for CUD. After adjusting for covariates, the age of regular

marijuana use was negatively associated with the number of CUD symptoms, while the average

daily alcohol drinks was positively associated with the number of symptoms. Prevention and

intervention efforts at the university level should be increased to reduce negative outcomes

associated with problem marijuana use.

Keywords

marijuana, cannabis, college students, cannabis use disorder, DSM-5, alcohol

Introduction

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illicit substance among young adults, including

college students (Schulenberg et al., 2019). According to results from the Monitoring the Future

Study, the rate of past 30-day marijuana use for young adults aged 19–28 was 24% in 2018, a

significant increase from the previous 5 years and the highest reported rate ever for this age group

since the survey began in 1986 (Schulenberg et al., 2019). Similarly, there have been increases in

the rate of daily or near-daily marijuana use, which is currently estimated at 1 in every 12 young

adults (8% overall; Schulenberg et al., 2019). In 2012, Colorado was one of the first two U.S.

states to legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 years or older, although commercial sales in

1University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

2University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

3Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu, HI, USA

Corresponding Author:

Kristina T. Phillips, Center for Integrated Health Care Research (CIHR), Kaiser Permanente, Suite 201, 501 Alakawa

Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA.

Email: Kristina.T.Phillips@kp.org

936655JODXXX10.1177/0022042620936655Journal of Drug IssuesPellegrino et al.

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