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ABSTRACT
A pilot study was conducted to develop a marijuana knowledge scale and test feasibility of an information literacy-focused intervention targeting college students. First, students recruited from four classes completed an online survey measuring knowledge, attitudes, and intention to use marijuana and the responses (n = 117) were used to create a 19-item knowledge scale. Subsequently, one-hour group intervention was delivered in two of the four classes and volunteers among them completed a post-test (n = 34). The results showed that the intervention increased knowledge and decreased peer approval. Knowledge gain was higher among those with lower initial confidence in their knowledge. No direct effects were found on risk or intention to use.
Keywords: marijuana, cannabis, intervention, education, knowledge, injunctive norm, college students
Significance of college attendance as a risk factor for marijuana initiation escalated since Colorado and Washington legalized recreational use of marijuana in 2013 (Miech, Patrick, O'Malley, & Johnston, 2017). In 2018, 43% of fulltime students used marijuana in the past year and 25% used at least once in the past month (Schulenberg et al., 2018), with a majority of users reporting multiple negative consequences (Pearson, Liese, Dvorak, & Marijuana Outcomes Study Team, 2017). Also accompanying the behavioral trends are the lowest perceptions of risk and social disapproval since early 1980s (Schulenberg et al., 2018). However, numerous calls for prevention and intervention of marijuana use on college campuses (e.g., Caldeira, Arria, O'Grady, Vincent, & Wish, 2008; Mlech et al., 2017) have not been responded to with the urgency and intensity they deserve. Most existing college intervention programs (e.g., Elliott & Carey, 2012; Lee, Neighbors, Kilmer, & Larimer, 2010) had been created under the pre-legalization regime and thus do not address the fast-evolving legal framework. Further, the increasing prevalence calls for rigorous research of larger-scale intervention to complement individual-oriented programs that have been the norm in college marijuana intervention research.
Currently, there are only a few known coordinated efforts to keep the public accurately informed of the legal changes and to prevent the negative health consequences on vulnerable populations, including underage users. As the forerunner, Colorado State Department of Public Health and Environment conducted public education campaigns emphasizing new state marijuana laws and health risks, resulting in increased knowledge (BrooksRussell, Levinson, Li, Roppolo,...