Effect of recreational cannabis laws on prenatal substance use disparities
Official title: Effects of recreational cannabis laws on disparities in prenatal substance use
Funded at Boston College · NIH-11217238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how state cannabis laws relate to differences in how pregnant people use cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol, and how doctors screen for it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DA063982-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11217238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals or those planning pregnancy in states included in PRAMS data, particularly groups with higher risk or disparities in substance use.
✕Less likely to help
People not pregnant or planning pregnancy are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
The study uses existing data from PRAMS (a state-representative survey of new mothers) from 25 states and DC to see how changes in cannabis laws affect substance use before, during, and after pregnancy. It treats legalization as a natural experiment to compare groups across states with different policies. The researchers will examine disparities by demographics and risk factors, and how providers assess substance use during pregnancy. The work will help identify whether legalization is associated with changes in care practices and birth-related outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform safer pregnancy guidance and policy decisions to protect maternal and child health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown policy environments can influence substance use patterns, but this project adds a natural-experiment approach to prenatal contexts and disparities.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawkins, Summer Sherburne — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Hawkins, Summer Sherburne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Real-time help for young adults using alcohol and cannabis together
A mobile app-based program tests when and what types of real-time support (mindfulness tips or protective strategies) best help 18- to 24-year-olds who use alcohol and cannabis together.
-
Impact of recreational cannabis legalization on opioid use and overdoses
This project tests how states with legalized recreational cannabis influence opioid use and overdose rates, using nationwide data to understand policy effects.
-
Understanding how recreational cannabis laws affect opioid use and overdoses
This project looks at how legalizing recreational cannabis changes opioid use and overdose rates across the United States.
-
How cannabis legalization affects mental health and substance use in people with psychosis
This study looks at how the legalization and sale of cannabis affects people with psychotic disorders, especially in terms of their substance use and mental health, to help understand any risks they might face.
-
Examining how legalizing recreational cannabis affects opioid use and overdoses.
This study looks at how legalizing recreational cannabis affects the use of opioids and overdose rates in the U.S., helping us understand how these laws might change how people manage pain and use substances.
-
Improving contraception decisions for women with substance use disorders after childbirth
A patient-centered decision tool called MyPath aims to help postpartum women with substance use disorders choose and keep effective contraception after giving birth.
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.