Usage of Marijuana Among Young Adults Research Pitch Please read my research paper, and then write a (Research Pitch) based on my study. You must include t
Usage of Marijuana Among Young Adults Research Pitch Please read my research paper, and then write a (Research Pitch) based on my study. You must include the following in the pitch:
*Topic of the study
*Research question
*Research method
*Recruitment method
– Inclusion / exclusion criteria
*Evaluation of risks/discomfort
*Consent documents and procedures
Notice:
Just explain each part with some sentences
This Pitch shouldve be done before the paper, so make it without results or any findings.
Use Apa format, dont use sources.
Just tell the professor what we are going to do in the research Running head: USAGE OF MARIJUANA AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
Usage of Marijuana among Young Adults
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USAGE OF MARIJUANA AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
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Abstract
Newfound independence, intellectual growth, and substance abuse mark the transition
from high school to college. Marijuana use among college-aged people is steep with some of the
risk factors including liberalisation of marijuana policies, peer pressure, and parenting behaviour.
High rates of marijuana use among young adults support the importance of developing
interventions targeting young adults. The trend of marijuana use among young adults continues
to rise and could have a more significant impact on the population prevalence of marijuana.
Current indicators regarding marijuana use show that the trend would continue and may grow
stronger. The research seeks to find the reasons why people used marijuana and used five indepth interviews with college students to find information regarding marijuana use. The study
found that students start using cannabis at college or during high school. Findings from the study
suggest that college students use marijuana because of peer influence. Most of the respondents
ignored the effects of using the drug while one was not aware of them.
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Usage of Marijuana among Young Adults
Introduction
Substance use has increased in many young adults most of them transiting from high
school to college. According to Stewart & Moreno (2013), the changes in the trend in the United
States shows that almost three third of the students in universities use tobacco and marijuana.
Even though tobacco use is declining in most of the institutions, marijuana continues to increase
(Stewart & Moreno, 2013). “Data from the National College Health Assessment” highlights the
increase in marijuana use as it shows that over thirty-seven percent of all college students have
tried marijuana when compared to about thirty-three percent of all college students who have
been attempting tobacco or cigarettes (Stewart & Moreno, 2013). Marijuana use begins in early
adulthood with about twenty-five percent of marijuana users initiating its use at college (Stewart
& Moreno, 2013).
Most researchers indicate that young people mostly use marijuana at the adolescent stage.
For instance, Pinchevsky et al.(2012), shows that the United States has high rates for marijuana
use during adolescence and continues through adulthood with about two-thirds of the individuals
with exposure opportunities initiating marijuana use and about forty-five percent progress from
the chance to use within one year(Miech et al., 2017). However, short-term and long-term
consequences arise with the use of marijuana among college-aged youths. As Stewart & Moreno,
(2013) indicates, the short-term effects include memory deficits and difficulties with a
concentration that affects the studies of college students. The long-term consequences, on the
other hand, are declining in IQ, impaired thinking, failing to understand and handle complex
tasks, and financial difficulties (Stewart & Moreno, 2013). Effects on academics result in
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marijuana users reporting poor academic performances that can be attributed to the less time
spent while studying as well as increased absence from class.
Marijuana has risk factors that contribute to people using drugs. Many states in the
United States have legalised marijuana use, particularly medical marijuana laws (Payne,
Getachew, Shah, & Berg, 2018). Medical marijuana is meant for a good cause, but people start
misusing it. Moreover, insufficient research examining the effects of marijuana contributes to
people’s perception that it is harmless thus making it more appealing to them than other illicit
drugs (Payne, Getachew, Shah, & Berg, 2018). Besides, the legalisation of medical marijuana in
states such as Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Virginia have contributed to
increased marijuana use as some of the people may term it as harmless (Payne, Getachew, Shah,
& Berg, 2018). Such legalisation of medical marijuana use, even though on a limited basis,
increases the need for some people to try marijuana.
High rates of marijuana use among young adults support the importance of developing
interventions targeting young adults. The introduction of marijuana begins at adolescence as
habits of its use begin to emerge. Young adults start using marijuana because of peer pressure
(Pinchevsky et al., 2012). Adjusting to school life entails forming new friendships as well as
sorting out personal identity and finding ways of socialising (Pinchevsky et al., 2012). Adjusting
to school life and new friends is a transition period and forms the most vulnerable part of an
individual. The individual’s social environment is influential as one may start experimenting with
marijuana since other students might be using. Peer pressure does not only apply to school-going
adolescents but also families and other peers that they see and hear from the internet (Lee et al.,
2013). Over forty per cent of marijuana users reports having friends who used marijuana thus
showing the significance of peers on marijuana use (Pinchevsky et al., 2012). “Research on
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marijuana use highlights that people with fewer marijuana-using friends in high school and
college have a lower likelihood of using marijuana as compared to students who have friends
using marijuana.” (Pinchevsky et al., 2012). It is a clear indicator that friends are more likely to
influence their friends to use Marijuana.
Parenting behaviour is another factor that affects an individual’s involvement with drugs.
A parenting style that involves monitoring a child lowers the chances of individual engaging in
drugs across his or her development stages (Napper, Hummer, Chithambo, & LaBrie, 2015).
However, less monitoring of the child by parents contributes to the child trying marijuana use.
Parental supervision plays an essential role in the protection of an individual from substance
abuse. Different parents deploy different strategies of monitoring their children as they adopt
some different techniques of tracking their children’s activities, whereabouts, and relationships
(Napper, Hummer, Chithambo, & LaBrie, 2015). Some parents set rules for their children
regarding the way they spent their time as well as drug misuse while others solicit information
from their children. The aspect of parenting plays an essential role in drug abuse as highlighted
by recent research examining how parenting affects alcohol outcomes among the youths (Napper
et al., 2015). However, limited data that examines the effects of parents on their children limits
the understanding of the role of parenting in drug abuse. It is, therefore, essential to start
researching on the aspect of parenting and its relationship to college-aged people considering
that most of them might be far from their parents’ sight during their period in college.
The trend of drug use among young adults continues to rise and could have a more
significant impact on the population regarding the prevalence of marijuana use. Current
indicators regarding marijuana use show that the trend would continue and may grow stronger.
People are beginning to accept recreational marijuana use (Cohn et al., 2015). The increasing
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patterns of marijuana use, particularly in college students and young adults prompts the need to
understand the trends and the reasons why people use the drug. As indicated most of the students
get into use due to the peer pressure from their friends (Suerken et al., 2014). Also, poor
parenting increases the chances of young adult’s involvement in drug use. By establish why there
is an increase in Marijuana use, this study has come up with this research question; why there is
a high rate of marijuana use by young adults nowadays?
Method
Over one week, the researcher conducted six in-depth interviews with college students
regarding marijuana use. The need to use in-depth interviews is for the collection of qualitative
data that would inform the research and explore the perspectives of the interviewees regarding
marijuana use. The interviewed students comprised of four men and two women aged twenty to
twenty-two years old.
The interviews lasted fifteen minutes per participant. The participants were willing to
participate in the process and sacrificed their time for the interview. The interviews took place in
an environment of the participant’s choice to make them feel comfortable about sharing the
information. Choosing a place that one is comfortable encourages one to share information
without much difficulty.
The researcher sought permission from the participant and assured that the presented
information would only be used for research. Obtaining consent from participants was done
before the study to help quantify the number of individuals to interview. Consent seeking process
entailed beginning with a concise and focused presentation of the vital information that assisted
the participants in understanding the reasons for their involvement in the study.
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Risks and benefits assessment of the research revolved around obtaining the right
information from participants considering the sensitivity and trust issues. The benefits of the
research included finding the correct information about the study. Research improves services
and treatments for not only the present people but also the current generations. Research on the
risk factors of marijuana helps to minimise the risk factors such as affecting one’s behaviour,
reduced school attendants, weak intention and so on thus ensuring that future generations would
not have to deal with the risk factors the present age is experiencing. Besides, the research
contributes to a deeper understanding of the subject with the provision of additional information
on the topic. Minimising the risk in the study involved assuring the participants of the
confidentiality of their provided data. Some of the participants may be sceptical about sharing
information because they fear that the researcher might share their information with other parties.
Assuring confidentiality improves the quality of the data as the participants would be willing to
provide all information regarding marijuana use.
Gender
Frequency
Male
4
Female
2
Age
20
3
21
3
USAGE OF MARIJUANA AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
Enrolled in college
4
Not enrolled
2
Nationality
Domestic
3
International
2
As indicated by this table, the participants included four males and two females. Three of them
aged 20 years while the other three aged 21years. Four were in college while two were not
enrolled. Three of them were a domestic country of research while two were international.
The research used codes in the identification of interviewees as a means of protecting
them. The information from the interviews was kept by the researcher and was not exposed to
anyone. Only the research findings were revealed.
The participants facilitated the research by providing information regarding their
motivation to use marijuana. Participants answered the research question as well as enhance the
understanding of the risk factors of marijuana use.
However, the participants did not receive any form of benefit for participating in the
study since it was voluntary. Volunteering participants are appropriate for the research as they
would want to contribute to the success of the study.
This study encountered some problems with the international students who were not
comfortable revealing their information regarding the use of marijuana. Besides, cultural
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diversity may affect the study particularly on the perception of a particular drug. One of the
international students highlighted the different opinion of marijuana in their country thus adding
complexity to research.
Results
The results of the study are presented in the form patterns to cater to the recurring appearances in
the study. The study sought primarily to submit the form with pattern headings as follows, Peer
pressure to Use Marijuana, Isolated from parents monitoring, Consumption time of day, using
the drug regardless of risks, fear of consequences, and the amount taken. These headings were to
give a clear picture of the results collected from the research.
Peer Pressure to Use Marijuana
Peer influence contributed to the pattern of deciding to use marijuana. Three of the
participants mentioned that their friends motivated them to use marijuana. Friends play a crucial
role in marijuana use as shown by the participants who said that their trusted friends were the
primary source of marijuana access. Young adults have some influential friends who would
make them do some of the things they did not envision. Participant cf3, for instance, said, “my
friend approached me with marijuana and told me they have been using with some friends to
relieve some of the stress they experience at school.” Information and misconception some of the
students heard contributed to their use of marijuana. Participant cf2 said, “I heard some people
say that using marijuana makes one feel good thus the need to try it out.” The quotes from the
participants highlight the fact that external influence contributes to an individual’s decision to use
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marijuana. The participants began using marijuana because of close friends thus making the
participants interested in using them as well.
Consumption hour of the day
One of the patterns that arose is the hours of the day the participants decided to take
marijuana. A majority of college students show less concern about using marijuana. Most of the
students mention using marijuana in the evening after classes since no one would know they are
using it. Evenings present the best opportunity since most of the students have completed their
courses and are moving to their residential areas and are not required to do anything significant
that marijuana would influence. Participant cf1 said, “I am free in the evening and little work to
do; thus the best time to smoke some weed.” Participant cf3 said, “It is a lot riskier in the
morning since I have to go to class and the teacher can know that I am using because the effects
could still be on.” The quotes show that the students are aware of the significance of time to use
the drug as they mention that they do not want anyone to interfere with their activities. It also
makes one think about how much the students are going to use and pace themselves to avoid
using too much.
Isolated from parents monitoring
Being separated from parents is another pattern that arises from the use of marijuana by
the participants. New Interactions from parents to college friends are what caused the students to
start using marijuana. The interview with students highlighted that they began using drugs for the
first time in college with some help of friends who convinced them of the fun one gets with its
use. Most of the participants said that they are far away from home and want to experience
something different than they usually do in their regular evenings at home. Participant cf1 said,
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“I began using marijuana when two friends told me of how one feels upon using it which
prompted me to want to feel it too.” Participant cf3 said, “Everyone wanted to get high one
evening after classes then one friend brought up the use of marijuana and the others agreed to it.”
The quotes show that interaction with friends caused them to use marijuana. Most use them in
college since they do not have their parents monitoring them. Even though some of the
participants used marijuana at home, most used in college where they feel that people who
understand what it means to use marijuana surround them.
Using the Drug Regardless of Risks
Using marijuana regardless of the risks is another pattern that arises from the results.
Most of the participants were aware of some of the dangers of using the drug. However, the
awareness of the risks does not affect their decision about using it because of the belief that it
does not affect them and the acceptance of marijuana as medicine. Participant cf5 said, “Yes I
know some of the risks of marijuana use, especially the one of the brain but it has not affected
me yet, so I do not see the need to stop using it.” Participant cf2 said, “People mention the risks
of marijuana, particularly on adolescents and its effects on studies, but they dont state the
harmfulness of using as medicine.” Even with the awareness of some of the costly risks
associated with marijuana use, young adults continue to use it.
Fear of the Consequences
Even though students use marijuana, they mention that they fear its consequences when
the effects of the drugs wear out. Even with the acknowledgment of the consequences, the
following day, they continue using the drug after a while, and the cycle goes on. What most
students fear is getting caught using the drug that would place them in trouble with the
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consequence of expulsion from school as well as the possibility of facing some legal action.
Participant cf3 said, “I believe that if I am caught using marijuana, I would be expelled from
school thus messing my life. However, I find myself using the drug again even after some
consequences associated with the drug hitting me.” Participant cf1 said, “I would regret using the
drug the following day once I remember its consequences.” The participants continue to use
marijuana even with the acknowledgment of the consequences associated with the drug.
The Amount Taken
Another pattern that was current with the study is the amount of marijuana students
would take to get the satisfaction they want. Different people have different satisfaction levels
when using something. The amount of marijuana taken varied depending on what a student
supposed to do the following morning and the occurrence of the events of the day. Participant
cf4 said, “The last time I took three rolls of marijuana I was active the following day, so I would
take the same when I am to have a busy day.” Participant cf1 said, “When I am stressed out I
take four or five rolls of marijuana as I would want to forget what transpired during the day.”
Participant cf2 said, “I take the number of marijuana rolls my friends are taking because we take
them in groups.” The response from the participants shows that they take a specified amount of
marijuana depending on their day’s events, what they are to do the following day, and what their
friends are using.
Taking Marijuana as stress relief
Taking marijuana to ease stress is another pattern that arises from the results. Most of the
students mention that they take marijuana to enjoy themselves. The perception of cannabis and
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happiness is the major contributor to influencing more students to use marijuana. Participant cf3
said, “I take marijuana to enjoy the feeling of being high and get out of what disturbs me. When I
am high, I am happy as nothing much is on my mind regarding what I have to do or what is
expected of me tomorrow.” Participant cf6 said, “Using marijuana makes me happy as it makes
me forget the problems I have. I use it with friends who understand me that contributes to my
happiness at the time.” The quotes show that students explore marijuana use as they seek to
avoid or deny some of the problems they are facing.
Conclusion
The researcher concludes that college students tend to use marijuana with the influence of
their peers. The main points of the study were to determine the causes that make college students
use marijuana, and the results provide some of the reasons along with other contributing factors
to mari…
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