“You’re Ganja Have a Good Time”: Investigating the Roots of Blunt Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Adults

Abstract

Blunt use is a pressing public health problem in the United States. While most studies have focused on African American youth, there remains a paucity of research examining blunt use among Hispanic individuals. Previous findings, which are quite limited, suggest mixed results, thus warranting further investigation regarding the prevalence of blunt use among Hispanic individuals and factors associated with such use. In accord with Jessor’s problem behavior theory, we hypothesized that prior use of illicit substances and certain psychosocial risk factors pose an increased risk for blunt use among Hispanic adults. A secondary analysis examined prior substance use and psychosocial factors of 10,216 Hispanic lifetime blunt users participating in the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Findings revealed that one in five (20.5%) Hispanic individuals reported lifetime blunt use. Significant risk factors associated with blunt use were age (18+ years or older), participation in a government assistance program, prior illicit substance use, and changes in appetite or weight. Additional research on other risk factors, prevention mechanisms, and treatment interventions for Hispanic individuals who use blunts is warranted.