Marijuana Use Companions and Reasons for Using Marijuana (Tables 3.9 and 3.10)

Respondents were asked to indicate who, if anyone, was present with them the first time they used marijuana. Overall and for every age group, the majority of those who had used marijuana at some time in their lifetime (over 80%) reported that a friend was present with them the first time they used marijuana (Table 3.9). Approximately 18% reported that a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse was with them. Fewer than 2% reported that they were alone the first time they used marijuana. For the 12 to 17 year olds, 22% reported that they were with a sister, brother, or other relative when they first used marijuana.

Respondents who reported having ever used marijuana also were asked to indicate the reasons that they used marijuana the first time, and past year users were asked why they used it in the past year. The most frequently cited motivation for using the marijuana the first time was experimentation (Table 3.9). Overall, almost 90% of the marijuana users reported using it for the first time because they wanted to see what it was like. In addition, 60% reported doing so because their friends were using it, and 47% reported expectations of a positive effect on how they felt. Among past year users, overall and for the older age groups (i.e., those aged 18 or older), the most frequently cited reason for past year use was for relaxation (Table 3.10). Approximately half of the sample overall and for each age group reported using it because their friends were using it; peer use was the most frequently cited reason for past year use among adolescents.

This page was last updated on December 30, 2008.