Perceptions of the prevalence of Marijuana use among college students: A comparison between current users and nonusers

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the perception of the pr evalence of using marijuana among a sample of college students and to asses s the relationship between this perception and current marijuana use. Estim ations of the prevalence of marijuana users exceeded the percentage of stud ents who reported current marijuana use. Students estimated that 34.9% of m ale students and 27.7% of female students used marijuana in the past month. However, use in the past month was reported by 29.6% of males and 19.6% of females. Marijuana users gave significantly higher estimations of the perc entage of male and females who use marijuana. The risk of using marijuana w as much greater among students who held the perception that marijuana use w as normative on campus (that more than half of students use marijuana). Mar ijuana users were also found to be at significantly higher risk of other su bstance use and sexual activity. Female marijuana users were more likely to have an eating disorder and to have ever attempted suicide. These findings suggest the need to provide accurate information about the prevalence of m arijuana use on college campuses and to send the message that marijuana use is not normative on campuses. Because marijuana users are at high risk for engagement in health risk behaviors, they should be targeted in prevention programs.