Cumulative Social Disadvantage and Medicinal Cannabis Use Among Younger Adults in Rural Communities: A Mixed Methods Approach

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ABSTRACT

This mixed-methods study investigated the role of medicinal cannabis use among younger adults who live in rural communities and experience high levels of cumulative social disadvantage (CSD). Results are based on cross-sectional surveys and online interviews with 153 younger adults (18–35-years old) in rural California. We assessed participants’ levels of CSD (high, medium, and low) and examined associations with perceived general physical and mental health and with medicinal use of cannabis (MUC). Qualitative analyses were then conducted to better understand the roles of cannabis use in the lives of study participants with high versus low CSD. High CSD was associated with perceived poorer physical and mental health and with MUC, but not past month general cannabis use. Qualitative findings emphasized the significant role of MUC for rural young people with high CSD to reduce stress and manage physical and mental health. Findings suggest the need to address CSD inequities in rural communities, such as increasing access to health care, to reduce health inequities and the reliance on cannabis use for managing mental and physical health.