Changes in Social and Attitudinal Dimensions of Marijuana Abstainers: 1969 to 1976

Abstract

Data from two samples of university student non-users of marijuana, representing a seven-year period (1969–1976), were analyzed to ascertain whether abstainers changed on social and attitudinal dimensions of marijuana use during a period characterized by rapid increase in the incidence of use of that drug. Implementing differential association theory as a guide for analyses, results indicate that while abstainers' characteristics related to “social dimensions” of marijuana use changed dramatically, little change occurred in characteristics related to “attitudinal dimensions” of marijuana use. The data suggest that abstainers may be emerging as a new sub-culture within the social milieu of university students. Over time, absention from marijuana use has come to be viewed as “deviant” behavior within university settings, and, to preserve their self images, some abstainers have employed stigma management techniques utilized by others whose behavior has been conventionally defined as deviant.