Loverock, A.

Cannabis Norm Perceptions Among Canadian University Students
Loverock, A., Yakovenko, I., Wild., T.C.

Research examining cannabis-related social norm perceptions among young adults is limited because no studies have examined whether norm perceptions differ between cannabis users who do and do not meet screening criteria for hazardous and harmful use. Drawing on sociocultural norms research on alcohol, we hypothesized that problematic cannabis users would be more likely than non-problematic users to (1) mistakenly believe that social reference groups use about the same amount of cannabis as they do, (2) adjust private approval of peer cannabis use to match mistaken public approval norms, and (3) believe that behavioral and social consequences are less definitive of problematic cannabis use.

Secondary analyses of data collected from 753 young adult cannabis users recruited from a Canadian University population survey (57% female; M age = 22.58). A series of parametric and non-parametric ANOVAs were performed to examine respondents' perceptions and beliefs regarding the cannabis use of same-sex friends, peers, and average Albertans.

Contrary to prediction, problematic cannabis users were more likely than respondents not meeting screening criteria for cannabis problems to (accurately) believe that all social reference groups use cannabis less frequently than they do. However, problematic cannabis users were more likely than non-problematic users to adjust private approval of fellow students' cannabis use to match perceived public approval, and to believe that several sociobehavioral consequences are less definitive of problematic use.

Problematic cannabis users have differing norm perceptions than non-problematic users, underscoring the importance of developing interventions to correct these misperceptions.