Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)最新文献

{"title":"Risk Factors for Quantity of Cannabis Use Per Day among College Students Who Violated Their University Drug Use Policy","authors":"Benjamin Montemayor, Anas Nabil, Ashley Merianos","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023/000191","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Cannabis use among college students represents a continued public health issue. The objective was to assess risk factors and reasons for cannabis use among students who violated their university’s drug use policy, and whether risk factors influenced cannabis use quantity. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included 99 college students enrolled at a large U.S. public university. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and an ordinary least squares regression analysis was conducted. Results: Students reported using cannabis an average of 7.4 (SD = 10.2) days in the past month, with 8% reporting daily use. On average, students consumed slightly over 0.25 (SD = 0.25) grams per day, with 40% reporting greater than one gram per day. The average age of onset of cannabis use was 16.8 (SD = 1.8) years old. The top reasons for cannabis use were to: relax or relieve tension (75.8%), feel good or get high (62.6%), and have a good time with friends (60.6%). Students perceived an average of 47% of their peers engaged in past-month cannabis use and only slight risk was associated with regular use. Students perceived their loved ones would mostly approve of a reduction in their cannabis use. Regression results indicated past-month cannabis frequency (p = .002) and being of racial/ethnic minority descent (p = .05) were positively associated with quantity of cannabis per day, while perceived risk of regular cannabis use ( = -0.21) was negatively associated. Conclusion: Evidence-based cannabis interventions for students who violate their university’s drug use policies are critically needed that aim to reduce cannabis use and mitigate its associated negative consequences.","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135193613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“What was the vibe you were going for?” SAM Behaviors and Socialization During the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Qualitative Approach","authors":"Sheila Pakdaman, Melinda Longtin, Jennifer Weck, John Clapp","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023/000169","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Marijuana use is at historic highs amongst college-aged adults, who are more likely to engage in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use (SAM) than other age cohorts. For college students, the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique transitory phenomenon that led to isolation, as well as changes in socialization, academic environments, and substance use. This exploratory qualitative study aims to understand SAM socialization and motivation behaviors among college students. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews (N=32) were conducted across the United States from January 2021-April 2021via Zoom. Interviews were then transcribed, then a thematic analysis was conducted in Atlas.ti. Results: The sample was primarily college juniors (mage=21). Since the pandemic, half of the participants increased SAM, whereas the other half decreased SAM. SAM was reported in different categories including primarily with friends, but, much less with partners and with roommates. More than half of the sample indicated that they used SAM alone. Motivations to engage in SAM included relaxing, socializing, offsetting stressors specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, and relieving general stress, anxiety and boredom. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted college students’ substance use in interesting ways. Understanding the behaviors of SAM in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial due to the legalization of marijuana in many states. This understanding has significant implications for prevention strategies and potential policy interventions. Our study yielded findings regarding the impact of socialization on SAM. We discovered that not only does socialization affect SAM, but the specific contexts and motivations behind these behaviors also play a crucial role, which adds to our developing understanding of SAM behavior.","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135690670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors of Cannabis Use Among Canadian University Students","authors":"Jessica Llewelyn-Williams, David Mykota","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023/000160","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To examine the correlates between cannabis use, motives to use, related psychosocial outcomes and academic behaviours among a sample of Canadian university students. Methods: A random sample of 6,000 students who were enrolled in at least one class and were 18 years or over were asked to complete a cross-sectional online survey. Of the 920 students that responded, 478 (ages 18-55; mean age = 25.02, SD = 5.95) identified as having used cannabis within the past six months and thus were included as participants in the current study. Participants completed a battery of measures designed to examine cannabis use and associated constructs (i.e., substance use risk, personal well-being, non-specific psychological distress, academic behaviours, and motivations for use). Results: Among the participants, 31% (n = 148) were found to be frequent (i.e., hazardous) users. Using cannabis for enhancement, coping, expansion, sleep difficulties, and conformity purposes, as well as impulsive personality traits were found to be predictors of cannabis use severity, with the enhancement motive identified as the strongest predictor for the total sample, males, and hazardous users. The coping motive was the strongest predictor for females, and impulsivity was the strongest predictor for non-hazardous users. Conclusion: Findings will help inform the development of campus guidelines for lower risk cannabis use. Information gleaned from this study will also provide important information for those that use cannabis, policymakers, and health care providers in considering optimal personal use, prevention, and intervention plans.","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135690680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"That's Pot Culture Right There\": Purchasing Behaviors of People Who Use Cannabis Without a Medical Cannabis Card.","authors":"Nioud Mulugeta Gebru, Elizabeth R Aston, Benjamin L Berey, L Morgan Snell, Robert F Leeman, Jane Metrik","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000168","DOIUrl":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000168","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The legal landscape surrounding purchasing cannabis without a medical cannabis card (i.e., without MCC) is changing rapidly, affecting consumer access and purchasing behaviors. Cannabis purchasing behaviors are related to subsequent use and experiencing greater cannabis-related negative consequences. However, purchasing behaviors of individuals who use cannabis without MCC are understudied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The current study analyzed qualitative data from focus groups with adults who use cannabis without MCC (n = 5 groups; 6-7 participants/group; n = 31 total participants). Focus groups followed a semi-structured agenda, and were audio recorded and transcribed. Two coders applied thematic analysis to summarize topics pertaining to cannabis purchasing attitudes and behaviors. Focus groups occurred in 2015 and 2016 in Rhode Island, when purchasing and use of cannabis without MCC was decriminalized but still considered illegal.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On average, participants (72% male) were 26 years old (SD = 7.2) and reported using cannabis 5 days per week (SD = 2.1). Thematic analysis revealed three key themes related to cannabis purchasing behaviors: (1) regular purchasing routines (i.e., frequency, schedule, amount of purchases), (2) economic factors (i.e., financial circumstances), and (3) contextual factors (i.e., quality of cannabis, convenience/availability) were perceived to influence purchasing decisions. Dealers' recommendations affected participants' purchases, who also reported minimal legal concerns. Participants reported saving money and using more cannabis when buying in bulk.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Purchasing behaviors were found to vary and were perceived to be affected by individual-level (e.g., routines) and contextual factors (e.g., availability) that, in turn, may impact use patterns. Future research should consider how factors (e.g., availability) that differ across contexts (e.g., location) and demographic groups interact to affect purchasing behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"30-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0b/73/rsmj.6.2.30.PMC10361802.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9855031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accuracy Differences in Cannabis Retailer Information Ascertained from Webservices and Government-Maintained State Registries Across US States Legalizing the Sale of Cannabis in 2019.","authors":"Michael Williams, Matt Mahlan, Connor Holmes, Magdalena Pankowska, Manjot Kaur, Aderonke Ilegbusi, Danielle F Haley","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000148","DOIUrl":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cannabis retailer locations used to investigate geographic cannabis access are frequently ascertained from two sources: 1) webservices which provide locations of cannabis retailers (e.g., Yelp) or 2) government-maintained registries. Characterizing the operating status and location information accuracy of cannabis retailer data sources on a state-by-state level can inform research examining the health implications of cannabis legalization policies. This study ascertained cannabis retailer name and location from webservices and government-maintained registries for 26 states and the District of Columbia legalizing cannabis sales in 2019. Validation subsamples were created using state-level sequential sampling. Phone surveys were conducted by trained researchers for webservice samples (n=790, November 2019 - May 2020) and government-maintained registry (n=859, February - June 2020) to ascertain information about operating status and location. Accuracy was calculated as the percent agreement among subsample and phone survey data. For operating status and location, webservice derived data was 78% (614/790) and 79% (484/611) accurate, whereas government-maintained registry derived data was 76% (657/859) and 95% (622/655) accurate, respectively. Fifty-nine percent (15/27) of states and the District of Columbia had over 80% accuracy for operating status and 48% (13/27) states had over 80% accuracy for location information with both data sources. However, government-maintained registry derived information was more accurate in 33% (9/27) states for operating status and 41% (11/27) states for location information. Both data sources had similar operating status accuracy. Research using spatial analysis may prefer government-maintained registry derived data due to high location information accuracy, whereas studies looking at broad trends across states may prefer webservice derived. State level COVID-19 restrictions had minimal impact on ascertainment of cannabis retailer operating status and location information via phone survey derived from webservices and government-maintained registries.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"133-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/8e/55/rsmj.6.2.133.PMC10361797.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9861477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis Among Adults with Chronic Pain: Findings from Interview Data in a Three-Month Pilot Study.","authors":"Alexandra N McMahon, Deepthi S Varma, Hannah Fechtel, Kimberly Sibille, Zhigang Li, Robert L Cook, Yan Wang","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000149","DOIUrl":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Patient-reported outcomes are critical to evaluate the effectiveness of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for chronic pain. This study examined the perceived effectiveness of medical cannabis for chronic pain management among middle-aged and older adults newly initiating medical cannabis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Interview data from participants in a three-month pilot study were analyzed to assess the perceived effectiveness of medical cannabis on chronic pain and related outcomes. The interview was conducted after approximately one month of usage and responses were analyzed using the RADaR (Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction) technique.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>51 adults initiating medical cannabis for chronic pain were interviewed (24 women, 27 men, mean age 54.4, SD = 12.0), with the majority (n=41) identifying as Non-Hispanic White followed by Non-Hispanic Black (n=7), Multi-racial (2), Hispanic White (1). Most study participants (62.7%) reported MC being overall effective. Common benefits included reduced pain intensity, anxiety, and dependency on pain and psychiatric medications. Improvements in physical functioning, sleep quality, and mood were reported. Common challenges included difficulty finding a suitable product or dose, experiencing side effects such as <i>'undesired high', 'stomach issues'</i>, and a limited <i>'threshold of pain'</i> treatable by the product.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Findings suggest most participants perceived medical cannabis to be overall effective for chronic pain management. Participants reported improved physical and mental functioning and reduced use of pain and psychiatric medications. Future research systematically assessing side effects, dosage and mode of consumption is needed to further evaluate the outcomes among adults initiating medical cannabis.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"62-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/13/38/rsmj.6.2.62.PMC10361798.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10240592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parameters of EMA Compliance and Self-Reported Reactivity in a Longitudinal Study of Young Adult Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Users.","authors":"Taylor Niznik, Sarah J Ehlke, Robin Mermelstein, Ryan Vandrey, Donald Hedeker, Andrea C Villanti, Amy M Cohn","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000139","DOIUrl":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Co-use of cannabis and tobacco has become increasingly popular among young adults. Interactive voice response (IVR) based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows for measurement of behavior in or near real-time, but has limitations including non-compliance, missing data, and potential for reactivity (e.g., behavior change) from frequent assessments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined tobacco and cannabis use characteristics and factors associated with IVR compliance and self-reported reactivity in 97 young adults who reported cannabis and tobacco co-use at baseline and completed daily IVR surveys of co-use behavior at three random times per day for 28 days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall IVR compliance was 55%, with a modal compliance of 60%. Compliance rates did not differ across morning, midday, and evening surveys, but significantly declined over time. The sample was divided into high frequency responders (>70% calls completed, n=35) and low frequency responders (<70%, calls completed n=62). There were no differences between high and low frequency responders on any baseline demographic, tobacco use (nicotine dependence severity), alcohol, or cannabis use characteristics (past 30-day frequency of use). Participants were receptive to IVR-based EMA monitoring and, 16.5% reported purposely decreasing nicotine/tobacco use due to monitoring, while 19.6% reported purposely decreasing cannabis use, which predicted lower cannabis use post-EMA monitoring.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Real-time assessment of co-use behavior among young adults does not appear to be impacted by specific demographics or substance use severity (nicotine dependence, heavy drinking). Data suggest some predictive utility of IVR-based EMA monitoring on short-term behavior change. More intensive approaches are needed to improve compliance among young adult cannabis and tobacco co-users.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"47-61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cb/d9/rsmj.6.2.47.PMC10361806.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10066227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population and Neighborhood Correlates of Cannabis Dispensary Locations in Oklahoma.","authors":"Amy M Cohn, Ami Sedani, Taylor Niznik, Adam Alexander, Bryce Lowery, Julia McQuoid, Janis Campbell","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cannabis dispensaries have proliferated exponentially in Oklahoma since the state legalized medical cannabis in 2018. Oklahoma is unique from many other legalized states given its high number of lower income, rural, and uninsured residents, who may seek medical cannabis as an alternative to traditional medical treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined demographic and neighborhood characteristics associated with dispensary density (n = 1,046 census tracts) in Oklahoma.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to census tracts with no dispensaries, those with at least one dispensary had a higher proportion of uninsured individuals living below the poverty level and a greater number of hospitals and pharmacies. Almost half (42.35%) of census tracts with at least one dispensary were classified as a rural locale. In fully adjusted models, percent uninsured, percent of household rentals, and the number of schools and pharmacies were positively associated with greater number of cannabis dispensaries, while the number of hospitals was negatively associated. In the best fitting interaction models, dispensaries were predominant in areas with a higher percentage of uninsured residents and no pharmacies, suggesting that cannabis retailers may capitalize on the health needs of communities with limited healthcare outlets or access to medical treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Policies and regulatory actions that seek to decrease disparities in dispensary locations should be considered. Future studies should examine whether people living in communities with a scarcity of health resources are more likely to associate cannabis with medical uses than those living in communities with more resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"99-113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a2/69/rsmj-6-1-99.PMC10212267.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10093841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social Determinants of Health Associated with How Cannabis is Obtained and Used in Patients with Cancer Receiving Care at a Cancer Treatment Center in Pennsylvania.","authors":"Rebecca L Ashare,&nbsp;Esther Turay,&nbsp;Brooke Worster,&nbsp;Reagan R Wetherill,&nbsp;L Cinnamon Bidwell,&nbsp;Abigail Doucette,&nbsp;Salimah H Meghani","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023/000151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite increased rates of cannabis use among patients with cancer, there are gaps in our understanding of barriers to accessing cannabis. Social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with access to healthcare, but few studies have evaluated how SDoH relate to cannabis access and use among cancer patients. We examined whether access to and modes of cannabis use differed across indicators of SDoH among patients receiving treatment from a large National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center. This anonymous cross-sectional survey was developed in collaboration with the NCI Cannabis Supplement consortium, which funded 12 supplements to NCI Center Core Grants across the United States. We evaluated the association of race, gender, income, and age with mode of cannabis use, source of obtaining cannabis, what influences their purchase, and medical cannabis certification status. Overall, 1,053 patients receiving treatment for cancer in Pennsylvania completed the survey and 352 (33.4%) reported using cannabis since their cancer diagnosis. Patients who identified as Black/African-American were less likely to have medical cannabis certifications (<i>p</i>=0.04). Males and Black/African-Americans were more likely to report smoking cannabis (vs other forms, <i>p</i>s<0.01) and to purchase cannabis from an unlicensed dealer/seller (<i>p</i><0.01). Lower-income patients were more likely to be influenced by price and ease of access (<i>p</i>s<0.05). Although cannabis users were younger than non-users, age was not associated with any outcomes. The current data shed light on how critical drivers of health disparities (such as race, gender, and income) are associated with where patients with cancer obtain cannabis, what forms they use, and what may influence their purchase decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/97/fb/rsmj.6.2.1.PMC10361799.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9855032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public Education Can Be Used to Increase Support for Equity in Cannabis Policy.","authors":"Jane Appleyard Allen,&nbsp;Youn Ok Lee,&nbsp;Robyn Woodlea,&nbsp;Vincenzo F Malo,&nbsp;Lauren V Zitney","doi":"10.26828/cannabis/2023/000146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023/000146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>States that are legalizing cannabis for adult use are increasingly focused on equity, with the goal of repairing some of the harm caused by the War on Drugs. This study explains and describes the emphasis states are placing on equity and assesses whether public education can be used to increase public support for equity-focused cannabis policies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an online survey of 893 New Jersey adults in August and September of 2021, just as state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission was publishing the first set of regulations for the legal sale and use of cannabis for adults age 21 and older. The study included an experimental design, in which half of respondents viewed an educational message about equity-focused cannabis policies before answering survey questions, and the other half did not.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Few participants (24.9%) were familiar with the concept of equity in cannabis policy, and a substantial proportion-from about 20% to 35%-provided a \"neutral\" or \"don't know\" response when asked about support for specific policies. Exposure to an educational message was associated with greater perceived importance of equity in cannabis policy (p < 0.05) and greater support for equity-focused policies. Specifically, participants who saw an educational message had greater agreement that New Jersey should provide priority licensing (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and grants (<i>p</i> < 0.001) to people who have been arrested for cannabis, and who now want to participate in the legal cannabis industry.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cannabis regulators, public health professionals, and people working to advance racial justice may be able to advance state equity goals and remedy some of the harm from the War on Drugs by expanding public education campaigns to include equity messages.</p>","PeriodicalId":72520,"journal":{"name":"Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"76-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/22/20/rsmj.6.2.76.PMC10361796.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9861476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}