Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Kourtney k. Nieves

Abstract

With approximately 4.4 million Americans addicted to cannabis, it is considered a dominant non-medical drug that is common in the US. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible contribution of the state laws that allow the cultivation of marijuana to Marijuana Medical (MM) program cardholders on cannabis addiction. This study was conducted to address the issue of the increase in demand for cannabis-related admissions that contribute to an upsurge in the unmet treatment needs. The study is founded on the Ecological Models proposed by Urie. The key research question explored the association between state laws that allow cardholders to cultivate medical marijuana plants and the percent of state CUD admissions reported in the US Treatment Episode Data Set for Admissions (TEDS - A) between 2015 and 2019. This quantitative study used data collected from US Treatment Episode Data Set for Admissions (TEDS - A) between 2015 and 2019, which helped to determine the relationship between cardholder and caregiver cultivation policies and the percent of CUD admissions. The results indicated that there is a negative relationship between states’ allowing of cardholders and caregivers to cultivate cannabis and CUD rates. Results from this study suggest that systemic factors play a strong role in whether or not marijuana laws are associated with CUD rates. Therefore, it is critical to now view the links between cannabis laws and usage disorders in isolate, and, to instead, consider the broader multidimensional nature of these relationships. Findings may be used by legislators to promote positive social change.

Download

Share

 
COinS