As marijuana (cannabis) use becomes more accepted (again) in mainstream society, many ponder how older adult (regular) users maintain harm reduction regarding health, social and legal risks in the context of “normalized” cannabis use.
This study collected data from Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964) cannabis users in the San Francisco Bay Area, consisting of a recorded, in-depth life history interview followed by a questionnaire and health survey to discover the factors of cannabis harm reduction from the users’ perspectives.
The results showed that these regular marijuana users made harm reduction choices based on preferred cannabis derivatives and routes of administration, as well as why, when, where, and with whom to use.
In other words, participants followed rituals or cultural practices, characterized by sanctions that helped define “normal” or “acceptable” cannabis use, and they contributed to cannabis normalization through these harm reduction methods.
One conclusion is that these types of cultural practices may prove to be more effective than formal legal prohibitions were in reducing cannabis-related harms. Additionally, having access to a regular market (dispensary) was also contributory to harm reduction practices.
Moderation, as in so many areas of life, may be a simple key.
