Introduction and aims: Frequent cannabis consumption can lead to severe physical and mental harm. As cannabis is often consumed in leisure time, this study aimed at identifying differences in leisure time activities that predicted the severity of cannabis use.
Design and methods: In a prospective population-based survey on cannabis use a cohort of 5025 subjects aged 13-29 years were assessed by telephone interview and followed up 3 years later. Different leisure time activities and the persons (e.g. partner, friend, sibling) the activities were spent with were analysed for the initiation, progression and reduction/cessation of cannabis use over time using multinomial and ordered logistical regression models.
Results: The persons the leisure time was spent with at baseline led to a higher probability of initiation and progression of cannabis use over time than the type of leisure time activity. There also was a tendency for tobacco use to increase during the progression phase and to remain high after a reduction/cessation of cannabis use.
Discussion and conclusions: The influence of persons the leisure time was spent with was of higher relevance to most phases of cannabis use than the type of leisure time activity.