Students say pot helps them relax, fit in

GOLD COAST, Australia, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Compared to non-users, students said they believe more strongly marijuana helps them fit in, forget worries and enjoy themselves, an Australian survey found.

Researchers at Griffith University in Australia administered a survey to students ages 17 to 29 asking their beliefs about the advantages and disadvantages of using marijuana and reasons they might use or not use marijuana.Two weeks later, they completed a follow-up survey asking about actual behavior.

Users said they believe that certain factors motivate them to use marijuana including: force of habit, wanting to relax, feeling stressed and being around other people using marijuana. Non-users rated work and study as strong reasons to not use marijuana.

"Findings from this study provide a better understanding of the different motivations of users and non-users of marijuana," the authors wrote in a statement. "They also open up opportunities for targeting these differences when further developing initiatives in prevention and intervention in order to enhance the educational experience of young adults."

The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research.