JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cannabis is the third most consumed drug worldwide, with its use linked to a high number of substance use disorders, particularly among young men. Associated mortality causes include traffic accidents and cardiovascular diseases. The global expansion of cannabis legalization has sparked debates about its impact on risk perception, which has decreased in countries with permissive laws. Social media analysis, such as on X, is a useful tool for studying these perceptions and how they vary by geographic region.

Objective:

This study aims to analyze Twitter users' perceptions of cannabis use and legalization, taking into account the geographic location of the tweets.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze cannabis-related tweets on Twitter, using keywords such as "cannabis," "marijuana," "hachís," and "hashish." Tweets were collected from January 1, 2018, to April 30, 2022, in English and Spanish, and included those with at least 10 retweets. The content analysis involved an inductive-deductive approach, resulting in the classification of tweets into thematic categories, including discussions on legalization.

Results:

The tweet analysis showed that in America, Europe, and Asia, political discussions about cannabis were the most common topic, while personal testimonies dominated in Oceania and Africa. In all continents, personal experiences with cannabis use were mostly positive, with Oceania recording the highest percentage (60.93%). Regarding legalization, Oceania also led with the highest percentage of tweets in favor (68.13%), followed by America and Africa, while support in Europe and Asia was slightly lower, with about half of the tweets in favor.

Conclusions:

The analysis of tweets shows that America leads cannabis discussions, with political debates predominating in America, Europe, and Asia, and personal testimonies in Oceania and Africa. In all regions, positive experiences with cannabis outweigh negative ones, especially in Oceania. Legalization decreases risk perception and increases use, as seen in America. Europe reflects a divided debate on legalization. The need to accompany legalization with awareness campaigns on the risks of cannabis is highlighted.