The study highlighted in ScienceDirect delves into the intricate patterns of alcohol and cannabis co-use among college students, with a particular focus on how these behaviours have evolved following the legalisation of recreational cannabis in select states. By employing latent profile analysis, the research sheds light on the diverse substance use profiles observed among college students in the wake of policy changes, offering insights into the interplay between alcohol and cannabis consumption. Here are key insights gleaned from the study:

Substance Use Profiles

College students exhibited distinct patterns of alcohol and cannabis use, ranging from abstainers to heavy co-users of both substances. The latent profile analysis identified six classes of substance use patterns, including abstainers, light alcohol-only users, heavy alcohol-only users, predominantly heavy cannabis users, moderate co-users, and heavy co-users, reflecting varying levels of frequency and intensity of alcohol and cannabis consumption.

Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalisation (RCL)

Students in states with recreational cannabis legalisation (RCL) displayed shifts in their substance use patterns compared to peers in non-RCL states. Following RCL implementation, college students in RCL states were less likely to exhibit exclusive alcohol use patterns and more likely to engage in frequent cannabis consumption with some alcohol use or heavy co-use of both substances, indicating nuanced changes in substance use behaviours post-legalisation.

Understanding the evolving nature of college students’ alcohol and cannabis co-use patterns post-RCL is crucial for informing prevention strategies and policy interventions. By identifying shifts in substance use behaviours and recognising the complexities of co-use patterns, stakeholders can tailor targeted interventions, campus policies, and public health initiatives to address the changing landscape of substance use among young adults.

Research Advancements and Future Directions

The study’s methodological approach provides a nuanced understanding of the heterogeneous substance use profiles present among college students, emphasising the need for comprehensive assessments of co-use behaviours and the effects of policy changes on substance consumption. Continued research into the impact of RCL on substance use patterns can inform evidence-based strategies to promote responsible alcohol and cannabis use among young adults and enhance substance use prevention efforts.

Source: ScienceDirect