Does perceived risk of marijuana use mediate or moderate the relationship between perceived availability and use of marijuana in past year by adolescents aged 12 to 17?

Background: As per recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the rate of current marijuana use among youths aged 12-17 was 7.9% in 2011. About half (47.7%) of youths aged 12-17 reported in 2011 that it would be “fairly easy” or “very easy” for them to obtain marijuana if they wanted some. It is well understood that there is positive association between perceived availability and the use of marijuana. The adolescents aged 12-17 who perceived marijuana is fairly or very easy to get they are more likely to use marijuana compared to those who perceived marijuana is difficult to get. One factor that may influence whether youths will use illicit drugs is the extent to which youths believe these substances might cause them harm. Objective: This research examines the role of perceived risk associated with marijuana use in the relationship between perceived availability and the use of marijuana by adolescents. Data: This study uses NSDUH data collected in 2011. The NSDUH includes questions for youths aged 12 to 17 about a number of risk and protective factors that may affect the likelihood of substance use. Several logistic regression models are estimated for assessing the mediating and moderating role of risk of marijuana use in the relationship between perceived availability and use of marijuana in the past year. Results: Results show that past year marijuana use is lower among adolescents who perceived marijuana is “very easy to get” and who perceived marijuana is a “great risk” for their health.