Understanding how marijuana laws affect young people's mental health and well-being
Impact of Recreational and Medical Marijuana legalization on cannabis use disorders, serious mental illness, and mortality outcomes among Medicaid enrolled youth
This project looks at how changes in marijuana laws across different states affect cannabis use, mental health, and health outcomes for young people enrolled in Medicaid.
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 ID | NIH-11094853 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Marijuana laws have changed a lot in the US, shifting how society views and uses cannabis, especially among adults. This project wants to understand how these policy changes have influenced the health of young Americans, particularly regarding cannabis use disorders, serious mental health conditions, and even mortality. We will use existing data from Medicaid-enrolled youth to explore these connections, aiming to fill a gap in our knowledge about the broader public health effects of these laws. The findings will help guide future decisions about marijuana policy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data from Medicaid-enrolled youth and does not involve direct patient participation.
Not a fit: Patients not enrolled in Medicaid or those outside the age range of youth and young adults would not be directly represented in this data analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide crucial information for policymakers to create laws that better protect the mental health and well-being of young people.
How similar studies have performed: While some studies have looked at medical marijuana laws and youth use, this project is novel in its focus on the impact of both medical and recreational laws on youth mental health and mortality outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- 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
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 below.