Investigating correlates of synthetic marijuana and Salvia use in light and intermittent smokers and college students in a predominantly Hispanic sample.

Abstract

Few studies have examined correlates related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., Spice, K2) and Salvia divinorum. Two studies were conducted to investigate whether demographic, smoking-related, and substance-related variables were associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids and Salvia. In Study 1, 185 participants (50% female; 83% Hispanic; Mage = 32 years; SD = 13.68) were recruited from a local health clinic and a university on the U.S./Mexico border for a smoking-cessation study targeting light and intermittent smokers. In Study 2, 675 participants (62.4% female; 89.1% Hispanic; Mage = 21.0, SD = 8.56) were recruited from a university on the U.S./Mexico border for an online study. In Study 1, 10% of the sample indicated they had ever used either synthetic cannabinoids or Salvia in their lifetime. Being male and dual/multiple use of tobacco products were significantly associated with having ever used synthetic cannabinoids or Salvia. In Study 2, 9%, 5%, and 3% of the sample indicated lifetime, past-year, and past 30-day use of synthetic cannabinoids, respectively. Five percent, 2%, and 1% of the sample indicated lifetime, past-year, and past 30-day use of Salvia, respectively. Logistic regression analyses revealed that past 30-day marijuana use and past 30-day ecstasy use were significantly associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and Salvia in one's lifetime. These findings suggest that the assessment of synthetic marijuana and Salvia use is warranted in studies of other addictive behaviors, particularly among current marijuana and ecstasy users.

Posting Alcohol-Related Content and Texting Under the Influence Among Hispanic College Students

“…Although the age range was between 18 and 52, almost 80% of participants were aged 18 to 22. Hispanic subgroups were not measured in the present study, but approximately 70% of students at this campus have self-identified as Mexican–American in past studies (Gutierrez & Cooper, 2014 ). Most participants reported living with parents (83.5%) and owning an iPhone (78.8%).…”

“…This 36-item questionnaire assessed the age of first use and use frequency of various drugs (e.g., alcohol, marijuana) over the past month, year, and lifetime using the following prompt: “Please indicate how many times you have used [the substance] in your lifetime…in the past year…in the past 30 days.” Previous research has used similar measures to assess drug use frequency (Gutierrez & Cooper, 2014 , 2016 ).…”

Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances

“…In line with this study, the concomitant use of SCRAs with nicotine and marijuana were found to be more common in male college students than in female students [ 80 ]. Further studies and surveys confirmed that SCRAs users are predominantly males who did not attend school, smoke cigarettes, are binge alcohol drinkers and use marijuana daily [ 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Yet, women seem to initiate use at a significantly younger age [ 84 ].…”

Synthetic Cathinone and Cannabinoid Designer Drugs Pose a Major Risk for Public Health

“…In a study of 852 college students in the United States, 69 (8%) reported using the drugs at least once, and more common use in males and in the first or second year of college ( 35 ). A survey of students from a local health clinic and a US University found 9, 5, and 3% lifetime, past-year, and past 30-day use of synthetic cannabinoids, respectively ( 36 ). In Rhode Island, 1,080 young (18–25 years old) participants were surveyed between January 2012 and July 2013, and 9% reported use of synthetic cannabinoids in the last month.…”