Pathways from racial/ethnic discrimination experience to cannabis use intentions: a longitudinal study of the mediating roles of perceived accessibility and harm among preteens

This study aimed to explore potential mediation pathways between racial/ethnic discrimination experience and cannabis use intention through perceived cannabis accessibility and then perceived harm. Preteens (N = 2,690, ages 9–13) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Release 4.0) were included. Structural equation modeling was conducted. Experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with higher cannabis use intention (β = 0.068, p < 0.05). Preteens who experienced racial/ethnic discrimination were more likely to perceive cannabis as more accessible (β = 0.134, p < 0.05), resulting in lower perceived harm (β=-0.123, p < 0.001), which subsequently increased cannabis use intention (β=-0.085, p < 0.001). These results emphasize the need for interventions to address discrimination-related trauma in preteens.