Mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of cannabis use and the role of state cannabis laws

The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded George Washington University $100,228 on January 15, 2027, under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) to conduct research examining the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of cannabis use and the role of state cannabis laws in that transmission process.

The research advances understanding of how family dynamics, parental cannabis use patterns, parenting behaviors related to use (including rule-setting and communication), and state-level legal status shape offspring cannabis use across generations. The study accounts for cannabis-specific factors often absent from prior intergenerational substance use literature: variation in legal status and consequences across states; the diversity of cannabis products (edibles, concentrates, vaporized forms); marketing claims emphasizing health benefits; and the restriction of public use in legalized states, which shapes where parents consume cannabis. The research also examines how parental perceptions of their own use differ when viewed through a parenting lens versus outside parenthood, and how use-related perceptions and expectancies vary by non-medical cannabis legal status. The overall objective is to reduce negative consequences of cannabis use across the lifespan and across generations.

Performance of performance is Washington, DC 20052. The period of performance runs from January 15, 2027, through August 31, 2029. The assistance type is a project grant.

Abstract

US non-medical cannabis (NMC) policy has shifted substantially over the past decade, with these changes coinciding with increased cannabis use, particularly in youth, young adults (YAS), and parents. Intergenerational transmission of substance use describes how family dynamics perpetuate substance use across generations. Indeed, parental substance use and parenting behaviors (e.g., communication/rules about use) are key determinants of offspring use. The majority of the literature regarding intergenerational transmission of substance use focuses on alcohol and tobacco, and cannabis-related research often fails to account for cannabis-specific nuances. For example: 1) legal status - and thus consequences - differ across states; 2) the variety of products surpasses alcohol and tobacco in form (e.g., edibles, vaped, concentrates, etc.), with some being discreet; 3) marketing emphasizes its health benefits and a significant percent of the population who use cannabis use IT for 'medical' purposes (e.g., anxiety, pain); and 5) in legalized states, use in public spaces is generally prohibited, leaving parents to identify private spaces for use (e.g., use in the home). Further, most intergenerational research fails to consider: 1) the complex dynamics of parental cannabis use (frequency, historically) and related behaviors (e.g., rule-setting, communication); 2) the specific perceptions one may have about their use as a parent VS. Their use outside of parenthood; or 3) how use- and parenting-related perceptions/expectancies may differ by NMC legal status. This study's objective is to advance the literature regarding family dynamics related to cannabis use, the intergenerational transmission process, and the role of NMC legalization, with the overall goal of reducing negative consequences of use across the lifespan and across generations. This study will leverage data from a nida R01 (R01DA054751) involving 4,031 US YAS (ages 18-34) examining NMC laws, marketing, and behavioral impact. Guided by social cognitive theory, the proposed cross-sectional, mixed- methods study will analyze 2025 survey data from this YA sample and conduct interviews with a subset of YAS. Our specific aims are to: 1) assess direct and indirect effects of patterns of YAS' experiences with their parents' cannabis use and related parenting behaviors on: a) YAS' cannabis use, via negative and positive outcome expectancies of use; and b) YAS' cannabis-related parenting behaviors/intentions, via negative and positive expectancies and perceptions regarding parental use and communication on their children/future children; 2) examine whether NMC legal status differentially impacts associations between i) patterns of YAS' experiences of their parents' cannabis-related behaviors and II) YAS' use and related parental behaviors/intentions; and 3) qualitatively explore mechanisms contributing to associations and differences identified in aims 1-2. Our rigorous mixed-methods approach, along with our innovative measures and analytic approach, will have high impact, as findings will fill key gaps and inform strategies to reduce adverse consequences of cannabis use. Further, MS. Speer will leverage this F31's training and research to successfully launch her research career.