Abstract

Drug-related problems are growing in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of research on the motives for using cannabis and its contribution to drug-related problems. Understanding the underlying motives for taking cannabis from users’ perspectives would facilitate the provision of harm reduction policies/interventions. Using normalization framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults who use cannabis in a city located in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were analysed thematically. Participants shared extensive personal experiences of how cannabis was used for social, conformity, and enhancement motives. Cannabis served as a social lubricant and was taken when they meet for drug-related leisure. Social cannabis use facilitated enacting new friendships and fostering existing relationships. Taking cannabis in friendship networks cushioned the effects of discrimination and enhanced trust-building, which was essential for sharing secrets among drug-users. Cannabis use within friendship networks was normalised and seemingly compulsory; thus, interviewees conformed to group norms, without which peers would not accept them. Conforming to masculinity norms to avoid shaming necessitated excessive cannabis use among men, but women strategically used excuses to escape using large quantities. Academic enhancements also motivated cannabis use. Inspiration, alertness and assimilation, and enhancing better performance in oral and written examinations motivated cannabis use. Findings indicate that gender and the motives for taking cannabis determined the quantities participants used, thus, supporting differentiated normalization. More research is needed to understand better whether or not the strategy women employed to avoid excess cannabis use will help policy interventions.

摘要

尼日利亚的毒品相关问题日益严重。然而，关于使用大麻的动机及其对毒品相关问题的贡献的研究很少。从使用者的角度了解吸食大麻的潜在动机将有助于提供减少危害的政策/干预措施。使用标准化框架，对位于尼日利亚东南部阿南布拉州的一个城市中使用大麻的年轻人进行了半结构化访谈。数据进行了专题分析。参与者分享了有关如何将大麻用于社交、整合和增强动机的广泛个人经验。大麻作为社交润滑剂，在他们因与毒品有关的休闲聚会时被服用。社交大麻的使用有助于建立新的友谊和培养现有的关系。在友谊网络中吸食大麻可以缓解歧视的影响并加强建立信任，这对于在吸毒者之间分享秘密至关重要。在友谊网络中使用大麻是正常的，而且似乎是强制性的；因此，受访者符合群体规范，否则同龄人不会接受他们。遵守男性气质规范以避免羞辱需要男性过度使用大麻，但女性战略性地使用借口大量使用大麻来逃避。学术进步也推动了大麻的使用。灵感、警觉性和同化，以及在口试和笔试中提高更好的表现，促使大麻的使用。调查结果表明，性别和吸食大麻的动机决定了参与者使用的数量，因此支持差异化正常化。