Individual Submission Summary
Share...

Direct link:

Examining Spillover Effects of Medical Cannabis Narratives on Recreational Cannabis Attitudes

Sat, May 26, 12:30 to 13:45, Hilton Prague, Floor: LL, Vienna

Abstract

As media coverage of medical cannabis increases, it is important to examine potential spillover effects of coverage on attitudes toward recreational cannabis. This experimental study (N = 396) tests effects of patient narratives about treatment with medical cannabis on attitudes toward recreational cannabis. Participants were randomly assigned to view a narrative, or an expository video containing equivalent information about medical cannabis. Exposure to narratives indirectly increased positive attitudes towards recreational cannabis use through changing attitudes towards medical cannabis. Participants who viewed a narrative message reported more positive attitudes toward medical cannabis, compared with participants who viewed an expository message. Attitudes toward medical cannabis, were in turn, positively associated with attitudes toward recreational cannabis use. These results suggest that media coverage in the form of patient narratives about medical cannabis may influence attitudes toward recreational cannabis. Implications for effects of media coverage of medical cannabis, and drug prevention efforts are discussed.

Authors