State Nonmedical Cannabis Laws and U.S. Young Adults' Cannabis-Related Experiences

This study investigated the associations between cannabis retail laws and relevant experiences (e.g., advertising exposure) among young adults, who have the highest use prevalence.

Three categories of nonmedical cannabis retail-related laws were examined: (1) operational restrictions (e.g., operating hours, zoning restrictions), (2) advertising restrictions (by media channels, health claims, giveaways/discounts), and (3) required warnings (in ads, at retailers). Dependent variables were from surveys of U.S. young adults in 19 states with nonmedical cannabis retail (June-November 2023), including frequency of cannabis retailer visits, advertising exposure; driving after use; and (for those with past-year retailer visits and past-month use) noticing minimum-age signage, health claims, giveaways, and discounts at retailers. Multivariable analyses examined retail-related laws in relation to relevant outcomes.

Among all participants (N=1,847), associations were found between retail license limits and fewer retailer visits, restricting billboard ads and less billboard ad exposure, and requiring driving-related warnings in ads and less likely driving after use. Among those who visited retailers (n=843), there were associations between zoning restrictions for youth-oriented facilities (but not schools) and noticing minimum-age signage, restricting health claims on products and lower health claim exposure, restricting giveaways and less often noticing giveaways, and restricting discounts and more often noticing discounts. There were no other significant associations (e.g., restricting online advertising and exposure, required warnings with risk perceptions).

Certain laws were associated with anticipated experiences among young adults; however, other laws showed no association with outcomes. Ongoing research assessing population impact and industry compliance is needed to inform regulations and implementation.