Session: Abstract of Distinction: Cannabis Legalization and the Transition to Adulthood: Prevention and Intervention in an Evolving Policy Climate (Society for Prevention Research 27th Annual Meeting)

Plans for the legalization and regulation of the retail sale of cannabis in Canada and several US states have focused attention on adolescents as a vulnerable sub-group. However, evidence-based approaches to policy and preventive interventions and treatments for cannabis use are not well established for youth transitioning to young adulthood. Most youth begin use before the age of 18 and use typically peaks around age 22, suggesting that minimum age restrictions may not be effective in preventing harmful use for this age group. Addictions rates are also highest for youth who start use before age16. Approaches to young adulthood may be difficult to create and apply in today’s climate of knowledge gaps, legalization, and uncertain and evolving policies. Three studies of Cannabis use in youth in the transition to young adulthood are the focus of this symposium that joins Canadian and US researchers.

The first presentation examines the longitudinal impact of concurrent and simultaneous co-use of alcohol and cannabis in young adulthood on substance use patterns, substance related harms and mental health symptoms across two years in a community-based sample. Findings are that cannabis is rarely used in isolation and simultaneous use is much more common than concurrent use. Both types of co-use increased substance use and related harms compared to alcohol only users but simultaneous users report higher levels of substances and experience substance related harm compared to concurrent users. Proposals for preventive interventions are suggested.

The second presentation “A Personalized Normative Feedback Approach to Reducing Heavy Marijuana Use among College Students in a State with Legalized Adult Recreational Use” reports and an evaluation of the mediated program effects from the Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO program, a web-based marijuana misuse intervention providing university-specific personalized normative feedback (PNF) and research-supported protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to students attending a university in a state with legalized adult recreational marijuana. Results demonstrate support for Marijuana e-CHECKUP TO GO and illustrate a specific mechanisms and contexts through which the program had its effects.

The third presentation “Letting Go and Staying Connected, a theoretically guided, developmentally targeted, and empirically supported intervention for parents of students transitioning to college” focuses on the potential role of parents in preventing cannabis use during their first year at college. . Most parents found the intervention useful and engaging, but full dosage was low. Future analyses will illuminate underage students’ use of cannabis and the relation of parent-student relationship quality with student use.

The discussion will focus on current policy strategies that address youth cannabis use in Canada and the US states where cannabis is legalized.