A program to educate adolescents about the risks of cannabis use
Official title: Evaluation of the Smart Talk: Cannabis Awareness and Prevention Curriculum
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11133336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun and informative program called 'Smart Talk' that helps teens and young adults learn about the risks of using cannabis, covering topics like health effects and how to say no, with input from young people, parents, and health experts to clear up any misunderstandings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $768,528 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA060900-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11133336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 and young adults who are at risk of cannabis use or have misconceptions about its effects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 12-20 or those who do not engage with cannabis in any form may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops and evaluates the 'Smart Talk: Cannabis Awareness and Prevention Curriculum' aimed at educating adolescents and young adults about the risks associated with cannabis use. The curriculum includes five lessons that cover health impacts, environmental effects, marketing influences, stress management, and refusal skills. By involving a diverse group of stakeholders, including adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers, the program seeks to address misconceptions and improve knowledge about cannabis. The approach is grounded in community-based participatory research and follows a structured behavioral intervention development model.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce cannabis use among adolescents and improve their overall health and academic performance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar educational interventions aimed at reducing substance use among adolescents.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halpern-Felsher, Bonnie L — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Halpern-Felsher, Bonnie L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.