The Cannabis, Health, and Young Adults (CHAYA) Project
What is this project about?
The Cannabis, Health, And Young Adults (CHAYA) Study was initially funded in 2013 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to examine the natural history of cannabis use among young adult users and how their cannabis practices evolved over time. This longitudinal study enabled us to document changes and stability in young cannabis users’ substance use, health behaviors and health outcomes.
With the legalization of recreational cannabis that occurred in California in 2016, we received additional funds to continue to follow the original sample (N=366) to examine the impact of recent legalization and related policies on their cannabis practices and health outcomes.
Further, we wanted to examine how cannabis legalization and policy is impacting a younger cohort of 18-20 year-olds who are not yet eligible to access recreational cannabis but can still access medical cannabis under California's medical cannabis policy (cite). For more details on our study timeline, click on the icon below to view our infographics!
The Cannabis, Health, And Young Adults (CHAYA) Study was initially funded in 2013 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to examine the natural history of cannabis use among young adult users and how their cannabis practices evolved over time. This longitudinal study enabled us to document changes and stability in young cannabis users’ substance use, health behaviors and health outcomes.
With the legalization of recreational cannabis that occurred in California in 2016, we received additional funds to continue to follow the original sample (N=366) to examine the impact of recent legalization and related policies on their cannabis practices and health outcomes.
Further, we wanted to examine how cannabis legalization and policy is impacting a younger cohort of 18-20 year-olds who are not yet eligible to access recreational cannabis but can still access medical cannabis under California's medical cannabis policy (cite). For more details on our study timeline, click on the icon below to view our infographics!
Who is leading this research?
The study is being led by Stephen Lankenau, PhD (Drexel University) and Carolyn F. Wong, PhD (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles). This is the fourth NIDA-funded study examining drug use among young adults in Los Angeles led by Dr. Lankenau. Dr. Wong has led numerous federally and privately funded studies focusing on the health of adolescent and young adults in Los Angeles. Dr. Lankenau and Dr. Wong have collaborated on three previously NIDA-funded studies based in Los Angeles.
Inviting voices from the community to inform this work…
A community advisory board (CAB) comprised of stakeholders in Los Angeles (including young adult users, advocates, public health officials, representatives from law enforcement, growers, vendors/business owners, substance use program team members, mental health providers, other interested scientists, etc…) has been advising the study investigators on research strategies, findings, and implications for policy and practice.
The study is being led by Stephen Lankenau, PhD (Drexel University) and Carolyn F. Wong, PhD (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles). This is the fourth NIDA-funded study examining drug use among young adults in Los Angeles led by Dr. Lankenau. Dr. Wong has led numerous federally and privately funded studies focusing on the health of adolescent and young adults in Los Angeles. Dr. Lankenau and Dr. Wong have collaborated on three previously NIDA-funded studies based in Los Angeles.
Inviting voices from the community to inform this work…
A community advisory board (CAB) comprised of stakeholders in Los Angeles (including young adult users, advocates, public health officials, representatives from law enforcement, growers, vendors/business owners, substance use program team members, mental health providers, other interested scientists, etc…) has been advising the study investigators on research strategies, findings, and implications for policy and practice.