Investigating how decisions to use marijuana change over time.
This article examines illicit drug use from a decision-making perspective using data collected during 2000-2002 from 51 current and ex-users of marijuana in a large urban city in the central/southwest United States. A qualitative inductive approach based on grounded theory guided the analyses. We find that prior to experimentation and use, decision-making processes are general and nonspecific. In the later stages of drug involvement, decision-making processes become drug-specific. Individuals consider a number of different types of factors when making decisions about illicit drug use involvement. The study's implications and limitations are discussed and future research suggested.
Shukla
Rashi K
RK
University of Central Oklahoma, Department of SOC/CJ/SAS, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
Kelley
Margaret S
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking; D009825:Oklahoma