Expanding Capacity for Addiction Regulatory Science Research and Mentoring

This K24 renewal proposes resources, training, and protected time to mentor in addiction regulatory science (ARS) patient-oriented research designed to impact regulation of cannabis, tobacco, and other addictive commercially-marketed products. The K24 also will support efforts to expand capacity for addiction science training. There are three objectives. Objective 1. Training to enhance skills in: (a) translating legal epidemiology to ARS, (b) understanding the cannabis/tobacco industry and retail setting, (c) research methods that can be applied to the Monitoring the Future program or other national surveys to advance ARS, and (d) mentoring and leadership. Objective 2. Execute three trainee-led synergistic ARS research programs that will each leverage a unique resource for mentee-led research that informs state/local regulation of cannabis and tobacco: Research Program 1) new clinical trials testing the effects of simulated regulations on young adult purchasing of cannabis and other products in retail settings, leveraging a life-size replica cannabis dispensary/vape shop space; Research Program 2) new experiments testing the effects of exposure to images of cannabis/nicotine products experimentally manipulated to comply vs. not comply with regulations on youth cannabis/nicotine use perceptions and intentions, leveraging ongoing teen cohort studies; Research Program 3) expanding collaborations with Monitoring the Future study by recommending new measures and analyzing prevalence and policy exposure data to address timely cannabis ARS questions. Objective 3. Expand mentoring activities by: (i) empowering my own mentees to lead ARS through involvement in the three research programs and ARS-focused formal mentoring, and (ii) enhancing USC’s capacity to support development of the addiction science workforce by championing formal mentoring and training programs (e.g., master of addiction science).