Early First Onset Marijuana Use and Its Impact on Education Attainment and Employment Status

Background and Purpose:  With the increased prevalence of states legalizing marijuana for recreational use in America, there is a need to determine how early first onset marijuana use impacts education attainment and employment status.  This study examined how early first onset marijuana use before age 18 is associated with education attainment and employment status among adults aged 24 to 49.

Method:  Using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2014, this study ran logistic regression analysis to examine the association of age of first reported use of marijuana with (a) high school graduation and (b) employment status among adults aged 24 to 49. A sub sample of respondents between the ages of 24 to 49 (n = 6,965) who reported first marijuana use before age 18 were examined to determine the associations, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.  Respondents were separated into early onset use (12 to 14) and late-early onset use (15 to 17).   

Results:  Adults between the ages of 24 to 49 who reported “early onset use” (26.9%) and “late-early onset use” (79.1%) of marijuana before age 18 was significantly associated with education attainment and employment status.  Controlling for demographics, late-early onset use was associated with a 1.75 (95% CI [1.50, 2.04], p = .001) increased odds of graduating from high school; and a 1.55 (95% CI [1.27, 1.90], p = .001) increased odds of being employed compared to those who reported use between the ages of 12 to 14 (early onset).  Early onset use was associated with a 14% probability of graduating from high school, and an 81% probability of being employed.  Late-early onset was associated with a 23% probability of graduating from high school, and an 87% probability of being employed.

Conclusions:  Early onset first use of marijuana is significantly associated with education attainment and employment status.  This study has implications for clinical intervention development, and policy development.  The results of this study outline the importance of early prevention for youth 15 and younger.  The results also provide information for state policy developers to determine the best age for the legalization of recreational marijuana use.