The impact of COVID-19 on the use of cannabis among young adults in Hong Kong

Abstract

COVID-19 has brought tremendous changes to society. Not only has it taken lives, it has also affected the mental states of citizens. The Hong Kong government adopted social distancing policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Among all the age groups, these policies affected young adults the most, as they were transforming from post-adolescence to freshmen in society. By applying the General Strain Theory and Routine Activity Theory, this study finds that the implementation of social distancing policies has had significant effects on the use of cannabis among young adults in Hong Kong. Young adult cannabis users were under the strains that they had difficulties establishing peer recognition with the restrictions on gatherings and were not able to pursue their planned career path under the economic damage caused by COVID-19, triggering them to turn to the use of cannabis to release these strains. More importantly, COVID-19 provided an easier way for young adults to obtain cannabis through online means, which prevented guardians from exercising their function of policing their use of cannabis. During COVID-19, environmental factors provided the strongest incentive and circumstances for young adult cannabis users to increase their amount of cannabis consumption.