Citation

Hathaway A, Mostaghim A, Kolar K, Erickson PG, Osborne G. Drugs Educ. Prev. Policy 2016; 23(3): 238-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/09687637.2015.1112362

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims: To critically investigate the extent of normalisation of the use of cannabis by undergraduate students. To examine the extent of peer accommodation, this paper focuses on attitudes of students who abstain. It sheds light on social meanings of the practice by exploring non-users' reasons for abstaining in addition to their attitudes, perceptions and experiences of use among their peers.

METHODS: Respondents were recruited to participate in interviews through an online survey of undergraduate students in social science classes at three Canadian universities.

FINDINGS: Peer accommodation of the use of cannabis requires that users exercise due caution and discretion and be respectful of the choices of non-users not to use. Non-users' attitudes, however, still reflect longstanding cultural assumptions about drug use as a deviant behaviour. Attitudes towards the use of cannabis reflect norms and expectations about gender among other culturally constructed social statuses and roles.

CONCLUSIONS: Future research should continue to investigate nuances of the differentiated normalisation process. A better understanding of the cultural transformation of cannabis, and other drugs in common use by youth, requires more exploration of the emerging social context and attitudes of users and non-users of the drug.

Language: en