In contrast to results from two waves of the NESARC covering roughly the same time period, NSDUH estimates suggest a more modest increase in marijuana use and no increase in the prevalence of marijuana use disorder. It is well known that individuals under-report socially proscribed behaviors in face-to-face interviews like those utilized by the NESARC.5 In contrast, the NSDUH uses audio-computer administered self-interview and other methods known to enhance privacy and reduce social desirability bias.2,4,5 Accordingly, a previous comparison of drug use prevalence estimates from NSDUH and NESARC (Wave 1) showed that NSDUH estimates were two- to five-times higher for all drugs.4 Because marijuana has become more socially acceptable, people may now be more willing to disclose use to an interviewer than they were in 2002. This likely led to a partial closing of the gap in reported prevalence of use between NSDUH and NESARC (Table).
