CE24-012 - The Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Substance Use Outcomes

PROJECT ABSTRACT This project will rigorously assess the impact of recreational cannabis legalization on opioid use and overdoses across the United States. With nearly half of the U.S. population living in states where recreational cannabis is legal, and ongoing policy shifts influencing its availability, this research is both timely and critical. The study will have two specific aims: first, to measure the effects of recreational cannabis legalization on substance use for self-management of pain, utilizing a nationally representative survey with detailed drug-use data; second, the project will quantify the impact of these policies on opioid morbidity and mortality, combining survey data with nationwide overdose data to assess changes in non-fatal and fatal overdoses. For each aim, the team will test for differences in the impact of cannabis legalization across 1) policy implementation characteristics and 2) individual sociodemographic determinants of health. The research approach will employ a rigorous, quasi- experimental statistical methodology, led by a multidisciplinary team of experts in substance use policy research, addiction medicine, and statistical methods. The outcome of this study will provide crucial evidence- based information to inform policymakers and public health officials in crafting effective interventions that address the complex relationship between cannabis policy, health disparities, and substance use outcomes.