Understanding Marijuana Use Among Bangladeshi Young Adults: A Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

This mixed-methods study, guided by the health belief model (HBM), explored how cognitive appraisals, stigma, and social context shape marijuana use among Bangladeshi university students. Quantitative data were collected through snowball sampling (n = 352). Recurrent use was operationalised as usage occurring at least once per month during the preceding three months. Qualitative data were generated through in-depth interviews (n = 33) and were analysed thematically. Recurrent users reported greater perceived benefits, more influential peer and media cues to action, and lower perceived susceptibility, barriers, and stigma compared to occasional users. Qualitative themes indicated marijuana use became normalised through peer culture, stress-coping narratives, evolving moral frameworks, informal access networks, and the management of dual identities. Collectively, the findings indicate marijuana use among Bangladeshi university students is associated more with socially reinforced benefit appraisals and culturally negotiated justifications than with ignorance of harm.