Cannabis legalization and its effects on youth and adult nicotine and tobacco use
Official title: Cannabis Legalization's Effects on Youth and Adult Nicotine and Tobacco Use
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11369124 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how legal cannabis, now available in more places, might change how people—especially young people and adults—use tobacco and nicotine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $537,339 |
| NIH project number | 5R37DA058005-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369124 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults aged 21 and older and youth who are part of nationally representative health surveys or who live in states with varying cannabis policies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the study scope or in populations not represented in the data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Yale will analyze how changes in cannabis laws relate to patterns of tobacco and nicotine use, using national survey data and a policy database. The study plans to combine state and local cannabis policy details with health survey information to see if legalization shifts people toward or away from cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. This could help communities understand whether cannabis laws influence tobacco-related health risks and where to focus public health efforts. The work aims to provide clearer information for policymakers to design cannabis rules that protect health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform smarter cannabis policies that protect youth and public health by reducing tobacco-related harms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has produced mixed findings; this project builds a comprehensive policy database to improve clarity, representing a meaningful step forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Friedman, Abigail S. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Friedman, Abigail S.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How cannabis laws affect nicotine and tobacco use in young people and adults
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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.