Cannabis legalization and use of cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol among youth with mental illness
Official title: The Impact of Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis, Nicotine and Alcohol Use among Youth with Mental Illness
Funded at Cambridge Health Alliance · NIH-11276456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how legalizing cannabis affects how young people with mental illness use cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol and what that means for their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cambridge Health Alliance NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $776,604 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064695-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11276456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults (approximately ages 12-25) with a diagnosed mental illness who may be affected by cannabis legalization.
✕Less likely to help
Youth without mental illness or those not using cannabis, nicotine, or alcohol may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Young people aged 12 to 25 with mental illness are being studied to understand how changes in cannabis laws influence their use of cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol. The project combines large-scale data analysis with in-depth interviews to capture both numbers and real-life experiences. Researchers will look at how often these substances are used, how risky people perceive them to be, and how likely disorders related to use are to occur. Findings could help tailor public health messages and services for vulnerable youth during policy transitions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for youths with mental illness who are at risk of substance use, potentially reducing harm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests policy changes can shift usage patterns, but this study combines quantitative and qualitative methods in a specific high-risk group for novel insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cambridge Health Alliance
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cook, Benjamin Le — Cambridge Health Alliance
- Study coordinator: Cook, Benjamin Le
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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.