Teenagers whose parents are not against cannabis use four times more likely to take drug, study finds

In addition to parental ambivalence, the study said there were other significant risk factors for current cannabis use (defined as use in the last 30 days): peers that used cannabis; perception of cannabis as not harmful; use of other substances; peer pressure to use cannabis and low parental supervision. Picture: Getty

Adolescents who think their parents are ambivalent towards cannabis are almost four times more likely to take the drug, according to Irish research.

The authors said this was a “very significant” finding as it indicated parents were potentially a “protective factor”, which, in turn, could be informed by public health messaging and greater involvement of parents in drug education.