Leaving Weed Behind: Asymmetric Modeling Links Subjective SES Increases with Reductions in Marijuana Use

• In Event: Advances in the Sociology of Cannabis

Abstract

There have been relatively few efforts to estimate “causal” models of the relationship between socioeconomic status and marijuana use. We extend this literature using a novel fixed effects approach to examine the link between subjective socioeconomic status with marijuana use in adulthood. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to estimate panel data models. Testing between a theory of social adaption from one of stress and coping, we differentiate between effects of status increases from status decreases. The analysis finds that increases in status are associated with reductions in marijuana use. However, losses in status are not associated with increases in marijuana use. Our findings provide an important theoretical insight into the demographic and psychological underpinnings of marijuana use. People may reduce marijuana use as a response to status gains. In contrast, we find no evidence that people increase marijuana use due to stress from status losses.

Keywords: Asymmetric; Fixed Effects; Marijuana/Cannabis; Subjective Socioeconomic Status; Substance Use

Authors

• Samuel Fishman, Baylor University

• Markus H. Schafer, Baylor University

• James Sujit Malo, Baylor University