Cannabis Use and Academic Performance in College Students: Examining the Relationship Between Protective Behavioral Strategies and Grade Point Average

Increasing rates of cannabis use among young adult college students is concerning, as research suggests that there may be a negative relationship between cannabis use and academic performance. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationships between cannabis use, harm reduction strategies, and college students’ grade point average (GPA). Participants (N = 125) completed an online survey that included a measure of Cannabis Use Frequency, Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) for Cannabis, and the New General Self-Efficacy scale. Hierarchical regressions were used to examine whether Cannabis Use Frequency or PBS for Cannabis were associated with GPA after controlling for covariates. Mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether Cannabis Use Frequency explained the relationship between PBS for Cannabis and GPA. Additionally, general self-efficacy was investigated as a potential moderator of the relationship between PBS for Cannabis and GPA. The results did not show a significant relationship between Cannabis Use Frequency or PBS for Cannabis and GPA after controlling for covariates. General self-efficacy did not significantly moderate the relationship between PBS for Cannabis and GPA. While PBS for Cannabis was indirectly related to Cumulative GPA via Cannabis Use Frequency, and its direct effect was associated with Cumulative GPA, the total effect was not significant, suggesting a suppressor effect. To our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the relationship between PBS for Cannabis and academic performance with official GPA records. Future longitudinal studies are needed to identify strategies that may help students who engage in cannabis use succeed academically.