Effective Cannabis Prevention Messaging for Virginia Teens in a Post-Legalization Landscape
Tuesday, May 5
11:05 am – 12:05 pm ET
Ballroom F/G
As Virginia enters its fifth year since cannabis legalization, teens are growing up in an environment where marijuana is more visible, more normalized, and often perceived as low risk.
In this session, get a crash course on how legalization shapes youth perceptions and behaviors, drawing on lessons from states with established recreational markets.
You’ll explore how Virginia teens encounter cannabis messaging through social media, peers, and evolving cultural norms, and discuss practical strategies for prevention communication that remain credible and effective with today’s youth.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe how cannabis legalization influences adolescent perceptions of risk, social norms, and substance use behaviors.
- Identify evidence-informed communication strategies that remain credible and effective with adolescents in states with legalized recreational cannabis.
- Assess how youth encounter cannabis messaging through social media, peers, and broader cultural influences in a legalized environment.