(PS1-54) The Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Among Hispanic College Students

Studies have recently demonstrated elevated cannabis use among college students, specifically due to shifting perceptions and the increasing legalization of cannabis across the U.S. (Vidourek et al., 2018). However, few studies have assessed cannabis use in Hispanic college students on the border, particularly concerning their experiences of racial and ethnic microaggressions. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between cannabis use and perceived racial and ethnic microaggressions among Hispanic college adults.

Hispanic students (n=324; Mage= 19.70 years, SD = 1.67; 77.4% female) were recruited via SONA System, a web-based recruitment website. After providing consent, participants completed the following questionnaires: sociodemographics, past year use of cannabis, and the Revised 28-Item Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (R28REMS). A linear regression assessed the associations between past year use of cannabis, R28REMS scores, sex, and age.

Participants reported using cannabis an average of 44.29 (SD = 543.80) times in the past year. The linear regression assessing past year use of cannabis was statistically significant (F(7, 323) = 5.87, R² = .115, p= < .001) and negatively associated with the R28REMS second-class citizen and assumptions of criminality (β= -.126, p= .044) and assumptions of similarity (β= -.246, p= < .001) subscales yet was positively associated with the R28REMS assumptions of inferiority (β= .414, p= < .001) and media microaggressions (β= .158, p= .005) subscales. Relationships with the microinvalidations subscale were not statistically significant.

That past year use of cannabis was negatively associated with the R28REMS second-class citizen and assumptions of criminality suggests that legalization may be shifting attitudes toward cannabis use as less or not criminal. The negative relationship with assumptions of similarity may indicate that with the proliferation of use, cannabis users are a heterogeneous group, and individuals within these social environments are less focused on ethnocultural group differences. That past year use of cannabis was positively associated with the R28REMS media microaggressions subscale may suggest that the euphoric effects of cannabis reduce perceptions in the media that otherwise may be deemed offensive. Past year use of cannabis was positively associated with the R28REMS assumptions of inferiority subscale suggesting that individuals may be using cannabis as a coping mechanism for experiencing discrimination as previously observed in minority populations (Zapolski et al., 2021). Future directions include prospective studies to better assess temporality and to observe other substance use behaviors (e.g., more than one substance use) in relation to perceived racial and ethnic microaggressions.