Beliefs and attitudes of young towards cannabis legislation and associated factors: a cross-sectional study in Morocco

Abstract

In Morocco, the legislation of cannabis marks a significant political shift that warrants thorough analysis. This study aims to identify the attitudes of young Moroccans towards the new cannabis regulations and their perceptions of its future consequences. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 4040 participants, including high school and university students in southern Morocco. The results revealed that females were significantly more likely to be opposed to medical cannabis use (MCU) compared to males and believed more strongly that the law would discourage users from abstaining. Additionally, females were significantly more likely to be against the recreational use of cannabis (RCU). In contrast, tobacco smokers, cannabis users, and participants with depression were more favourable towards MCU legislation. Further studies on young people’s perceptions of cannabis and its effects remain crucial for public health and prevention policy-makers.