Effects of marijuana legalization on youth health and mortality
Official title: Impact of Recreational and Medical Marijuana legalization on cannabis use disorders, serious mental illness, and mortality outcomes among Medicaid enrolled youth
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-10894746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how legalizing recreational and medical marijuana impacts young people on Medicaid, especially regarding their mental health and overall well-being, to help understand the effects of these laws on kids and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $692,682 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058303-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults under 21 years old who are enrolled in Medicaid and may be affected by marijuana legalization.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are over 21 years old or not enrolled in Medicaid may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana affects cannabis use disorders, serious mental illness, and mortality outcomes among youth enrolled in Medicaid. By analyzing data from states that have enacted marijuana laws, the study aims to understand the public health implications of these policies on adolescents. The research will focus on the long-term consequences of cannabis use on mental health and achievement, providing insights that could inform future marijuana legislation. The methodology includes examining health records and conducting surveys to gather comprehensive data on youth behaviors and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-informed policies that protect the health and well-being of youth regarding cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have explored the effects of medical marijuana laws on adult populations, this research is novel as it specifically focuses on youth mental health and mortality outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fontanella, Cynthia Ann — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Fontanella, Cynthia Ann
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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.