How cannabis laws affect nicotine and tobacco use in young people and adults
Official title: Cannabis Legalization's Effects on Youth and Adult Nicotine and Tobacco Use
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11141006 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how changes in cannabis laws might influence how young people and adults use nicotine and tobacco products.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $515,930 |
| NIH project number | 5R37DA058005-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141006 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project primarily uses existing data, so direct patient participation is not involved, but findings will relate to youth and adult populations who use cannabis, nicotine, or tobacco.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not interested in public health policy or population-level trends in substance use may not find direct personal benefit from this research.
What this research studies
We are looking into whether recreational cannabis legalization changes how people use various tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. Our approach involves creating a detailed database of state and local cannabis policies, such as tax rates and delivery restrictions. We will then compare this policy information with existing national data on tobacco use among youth and adults. This comparison will help us understand the real-world effects of different cannabis laws on public health. The goal is to provide clear insights that can help lawmakers create more effective policies to protect community health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help policymakers create cannabis laws that better protect public health by anticipating effects on tobacco use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on this topic have yielded mixed findings, indicating a need for more comprehensive analysis.
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.
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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.