The Associated Press recently broke the news that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) plans to declassify cannabis to a less dangerous status. As health communicators, we have the important—and difficult—job of helping our communities understand the complicated landscape of non-medical cannabis use and how to stay safe and healthy.
For example, though Illinois is in its fourth year of legal recreational cannabis, many adults are still unsure what signs to watch out for that indicate they’re overusing cannabis. In our research, we found that adults don't want their marijuana use to become “unhealthy,” but they don't know how to quantify or describe what overuse looks like.
Prevention First, through a grant with the Illinois Department of Human Services' SUPR, is working with Rescue Agency to educate priority populations about the health considerations and consequences of non-medical cannabis use. Our newest ad, “Canna-Vision” shows the audience the everyday markers that could indicate problematic overuse.
At Rescue Agency, we have over a decade of experience creating youth cannabis prevention campaigns, as well as adult harm reduction cannabis campaigns, and campaigns that help parents and mentors talk to teens about cannabis.
If you’d like to learn more about working with us on your next cannabis campaign, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.