Characteristics of Cannabis Users, Other Drug Users, and Abstainers

"Zambon et al also found that having a good relationship with a best friend was related to increased use of cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. Similarly, Hoel et al³⁹ reported that although abstainers are successful in many social arenas, they socialize less frequently with friends than youth who drink, while a Finnish study⁴⁰ indicated that moderate use of alcohol among adolescents was associated with a positive self-image in social relationships. Another
study,⁴¹ performed in New Zealand, also indicated an association between a high level of connectedness to friends and an increased level of smoking and use of cannabis in the previous month.
"In addition, and contrary to previous research,²³ our study does not confirm the negative effect of cannabis on academic performance among COG youth. In our case, they are more likely to be high school students and they report similar grades as abstainers, even though they skip class more often."