Exploring the Socioeconomic Impact of Marijuana Use Among College Age Adults: A Multiple Case Analysis.
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Statement of the Problem.
Marijuana use among college age adults in the United States has a damning effect on the social and economic status of these individuals. Although drug use has declined in the last six years, an estimated 12 million Americans admitted to using marijuana in the last thirty days ("Info Facts", 2003). Moreover, one-third of all Americans twelve and older reported using marijuana at least once in their lives ("National Household Survey", 1998). The health and mental effects crossover into the socioeconomic realm of a user's life. Health ailments such as; lung cancer and other respiratory disease, temporary increased heart rate, decreased cognitive skills, and changes in a users mood all contribute to diminished social and economic gains. .
Previous research on marijuana use among college age adults has focused on the mental state and consequence of marijuana use. One study has examined the correlation of marijuana use and anger in undergraduates (Stoner, 2001). Other studies have concentrated on the consequence of marijuana use (Kowalski, 2003). There have been few studies that link either social or economic impacts of marijuana use among college age adults. .
The social and economic results of marijuana use have far reaching implications into the composite of the American families. Economic woes can be contributed to; job loss, loss of work due to illness, change in economic status, as well as unfulfilled economic attainment among young adults, can all be attributed to marijuana use. Change in social status can be linked to these economic factors. These outcomes do not only affect the user but also his partner, dependants, and intermediate family (Kowalski 2003). .
Negligible amounts of research have been directed to the explanation of status and means among marijuana users.