Top 5 Takeaways

1. High Prevalence Among Binge Drinkers: During 2015–2019, 34.4% of Colorado adults who binge drank also used marijuana, compared to 9.9% of nondrinkers.
2. Age and Gender Differences: The prevalence of binge drinking was highest among adults aged 25–34 years and men, while marijuana use was highest among young adults aged 18–24 years and men.
3. Impact of Cigarette Smoking: Independent of drinking patterns, cigarette smokers were more likely to use marijuana than nonsmokers.
4. Daily or Near-Daily Use: About half of adults who binge drank and used marijuana reported daily or near-daily use of marijuana.
5. Public Health Recommendations: Adding questions on alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use to state surveillance systems could improve monitoring of multiple substance use risks. Evidence-based strategies to reduce excessive alcohol and tobacco use might also be effective for reducing marijuana use.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Marissa B. Esser, messer@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Crawford KA, Gardner JA, Meyer EA, Hall KE, Gary DS, Esser MB. Current Marijuana Use and Alcohol Consumption Among Adults Following the Legalization of Nonmedical Retail Marijuana Sales — Colorado, 2015–2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1505–1508. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7043a3

Summary

This study examined the relationship between binge drinking and marijuana use among adults in Colorado from 2015 to 2019, following the legalization of nonmedical retail marijuana sales. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) showed that adults who binge drank were significantly more likely to use marijuana compared to nondrinkers. The prevalence of marijuana use was also higher among younger adults and cigarette smokers.

Methods

The study utilized data from the Colorado BRFSS, an annual state-based telephone survey that collects health-related information. The analysis included 45,991 respondents aged 18 years and older who provided data on alcohol and marijuana use. The prevalence of marijuana use was assessed by drinking patterns and sociodemographic characteristics, with statistical analyses performed using SAS software.

Discussion

The findings indicate a strong association between binge drinking and marijuana use, with variations observed by age, gender, and smoking status. The study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and evidence-based strategies to address the concurrent use of alcohol and marijuana, which may pose increased health risks.

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of marijuana use among binge drinkers, particularly among younger adults and smokers, public health efforts should focus on integrated approaches to reduce the use of multiple substances. Adding relevant questions to state surveillance systems and implementing strategies to limit access and increase prices of marijuana could be effective in mitigating associated harms.

This has been your booster shot of MMWR Info! Please check back for more MMWR, Public Health, and Programming Tutorial content daily.