Concentration of Cannabis and Tobacco Retailers in Los Angeles County, California: A Spatial Analysis of Potential Effects on Youth and Ethnic Minorities

Anxiety sensitivity reduction-smoking cessation intervention among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use: A secondary analysis

INTRODUCTION

Cannabis use among individuals who smoke is prevalent in the general population and related to adverse health effects, including higher levels of interoceptive perturbation (i.e., a disturbance in internal experiences). An important aspect of smoking cessation among individuals who co-use cannabis is to address behavioral associations between physiological sensations and habitual behaviors via integrated treatments focused on reducing reactivity to internal perturbations such as anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the belief that such symptoms produce personal harm).

METHODS

The current study involved a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of an integrated anxiety sensitivity-smoking cessation intervention compared to standard smoking cessation. The current study sought to extend findings from the initial trial to examine if the integrated intervention produced better smoking cessation outcomes than standard care among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use. Participants were 149 adults who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use (41.6 % female; Mage = 30.89, SD = 13.1).

RESULTS

Results indicated that the anxiety sensitivity intervention produced statistically significant differences in distal (long-term) smoking abstinence at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up assessments but not proximal (short-term; quit-week to 2-weeks) smoking abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the potential of an integrated anxiety sensitivity smoking cessation intervention to yield better long-term smoking abstinence rates than standard cessation treatment among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use is clinically significant.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Problems and Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among US Emerging Adults

INTRODUCTION

Mental health problems in emerging adulthood are linked to tobacco and cannabis use, but whether race and ethnicity modifies these associations is unclear.

METHODS

We used data from wave 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (youth n = 6898, young adult n = 10,304) to conduct latent class analysis (LCA) of six past 30-day tobacco and cannabis use indicators (i.e., cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), cigars, blunts, cannabis vaping, other cannabis). We estimated associations between past 30-day internalizing and externalizing (i.e., low (referent), moderate, high) problems and latent classes of tobacco/cannabis use (vs. never/former use) using adjusted multinomial logistic regression. We explored whether associations varied by race and ethnicity through stratification.

RESULTS

We identified four exclusive use latent classes and two dual/poly use latent classes for both youth and young adult samples. Race/ethnicity-stratified models identified associations between internalizing/externalizing problems and most use classes for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White youth/young adults, with mixed results for non-Hispanic Black youth/young adults. For example, Hispanic (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.09-5.74) and non-Hispanic White (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.18-3.06) youth with high internalizing problems had higher odds of ENDS + cannabis vaping. Externalizing problems were not associated with use among non-Hispanic Black youth while internalizing problems were not associated with use among non-Hispanic Black young adults.

CONCLUSION

We observed racial/ethnic variation in mental health problems and tobacco and cannabis use. Understanding mental health problem and tobacco product and cannabis use comorbidity may better inform culturally relevant interventions aimed to prevent and reduce use.

Review of Major Social Determinants of Health in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Psychotic Disorders: III. Biology

BACKGROUND

Social determinants of health (SDoHs) are nonmedical factors that significantly impact health and longevity. We found no published reviews on the biology of SDoHs in schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPD).

STUDY DESIGN

We present an overview of pathophysiological mechanisms and neurobiological processes plausibly involved in the effects of major SDoHs on clinical outcomes in SSPD.

STUDY RESULTS

This review of the biology of SDoHs focuses on early-life adversities, poverty, social disconnection, discrimination including racism, migration, disadvantaged neighborhoods, and food insecurity. These factors interact with psychological and biological factors to increase the risk and worsen the course and prognosis of schizophrenia. Published studies on the topic are limited by cross-sectional design, variable clinical and biomarker assessments, heterogeneous methods, and a lack of control for confounding variables. Drawing on preclinical and clinical studies, we propose a biological framework to consider the likely pathogenesis. Putative systemic pathophysiological processes include epigenetics, allostatic load, accelerated aging with inflammation (inflammaging), and the microbiome. These processes affect neural structures, brain function, neurochemistry, and neuroplasticity, impacting the development of psychosis, quality of life, cognitive impairment, physical comorbidities, and premature mortality. Our model provides a framework for research that could lead to developing specific strategies for prevention and treatment of the risk factors and biological processes, thereby improving the quality of life and increasing the longevity of people with SSPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Biology of SDoHs in SSPD is an exciting area of research that points to innovative multidisciplinary team science for improving the course and prognosis of these serious psychiatric disorders.

Associations of recreational cannabis dispensaries' availability, storefront signage and health benefit signs with cannabis use: findings from a representative adult sample in California, United States

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There are concerns that availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries (RCDs) and point-of-sale marketing may lead to increased cannabis use in jurisdictions where cannabis retail sale is legal. This paper examined whether the availability RCDs and the presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs were associated with cannabis use and risk perceptions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis.

SETTING

California, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

A representative sample of 3385 adults in California who participated in the 2020 probability-based Marijuana Use and Environment Survey.

MEASUREMENTS

Binary outcomes included past-month overall cannabis use, perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful and past-month cannabis use by purpose (medical only, recreational only and dual). The objectively assessed predictors included proximity and density of RCDs and presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs.

FINDINGS

In terms of proximity, thepresence of storefront signage in the nearest RCD was associated with smaller odds of perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39, 0.99] if the RCD was located within 2 miles of home. Presence of health benefit signs in the nearest RCD was associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.17, 5.16) and recreational use (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.027, 11.91) if the RCD was located within 2-4 miles of home. In terms of density, count of RCDs, count of RCDs with storefront signage and count of RCDs with health benefit signs within 2 miles of home were each separately associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use and cannabis use for dual purposes.

CONCLUSIONS

The availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries within 2 miles of one's home and the presence of storefront signage indicating the availability of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits of cannabis appear to be associated with increased cannabis use and reduced risk perceptions among adults in California, USA.