Tolbert, Charles M.2016-06-212016-06-212016-052016-04-19May 2016http://hdl.handle.net/2104/9604Public support for the legalization of marijuana is on the rise. As states are increasingly passing legislation decriminalizing marijuana possession and consumption, a great deal of research is needed to inform policy-makers of the patterns and implications of use. In this project, I work to describe the patterns of perception and use among adolescent marijuana users, especially in light of this cultural shift over time, by providing a framework by which researchers might better understand the social contexts of marijuana use and, by extension, may be better equipped to examine the long-term implications of widespread use. Data for this project come from the Monitoring the Future study, a series of national random samples of US High School Seniors collected as time series cross sections since 1976. Utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis and latent mixture modeling techniques I create a framework to typify adolescent marijuana users into two latent constructs, ‘Individualist’ and ‘Communal’ users. Using this framework, I track identification within these categories over time and examine the behavioral implications of this identification, vis-à-vis gateway drug use.application/pdfenLatent variable methods. Confirmatory factor analysis. CFA. Marijuana. Adolescent drug use. US high school students. Sociology.ThesisWorldwide access.Access changed 8/16/21.2016-06-21