Marihuana,Alcohol and Tobacco: Reassessment of a Presumed Relationship

Abstract

Current marihuana literature posits a strong relationship between alcohol, tobacco, and marihuana. The evidence for this relationship, however, is drawn largely from studies which have used youthful samples. Using a random survey of the general Texas population (age seventeen and over), the present study found little relationship between the three substances. Multiple regression analysis supported this finding by indicating that less than 8 per cent of explained variation in marihuana use was due to both alcohol and tobacco. In a further effort to explain this contradictory finding an age variable was introduced. Results indicated that youthful samples tend to overestimate the relationships between the three substances and cannot be generalized to other populations. A likely explanation of association found in youthful samples would focus on simultaneous experimentation rather than causal interrelationships among the substances themselves.

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