Examining the relationship between marijuana use, medical marijuana dispensaries ...
posted 18/07/2015
publication PubMed.com
Examining the relationship between marijuana use, medical marijuana dispensaries, and abusive and neglectful parenting.
Freisthler B1, Gruenewald PJ2, Wolf JP2.
Author information
1Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, 3250 Public Affairs Building, Box 951656, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
2Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612-3749, USA.
Abstract
The current study extends previous research by examining whether and how current marijuana use and the physical availability of marijuana are related to child physical abuse, supervisory neglect, or physical neglect by parents while controlling for child, caregiver, and family characteristics in a general population survey in California. Individual level data on marijuana use and abusive and neglectful parenting were collected during a telephone survey of 3,023 respondents living in 50 mid-size cities in California. Medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery services data were obtained via six websites and official city lists. Data were analyzed using negative binomial and linear mixed effects multilevel models with individuals nested within cities. Current marijuana use was positively related to frequency of child physical abuse and negatively related to physical neglect. There was no relationship between supervisory neglect and marijuana use. Density of medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery services was positively related to frequency of physical abuse. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent, those who work with families, including child welfare workers must screen for how marijuana use may affect a parent's ability to provide for care for their children, particularly related to physical abuse.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Child Physical abuse; Marijuana availability; Marijuana use; Medical marijuana dispensaries; Physical neglect; Supervisory neglect
