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Key Webinar Takeaways

For decades, cannabis messaging has focused on shaming teens for using cannabis and telling them to "just say no." Through our research with teens, we know these messages aren't effective. Instead, messages need to empathize with why teens use cannabis and provide scientific explanations for how it can harm them and the things they care about.

Rescue's Decision Blocks framework provides a way to analyze what's getting in the way of someone achieving a healthy behavior. It provides a systematic, multi-staged process on how we can approach research and tailor communications to help clear the path way, so the outcome or health behavior can makes sense for our audience. 

In research, teens discussed that they care about their future success and often compare themselves with peers. Our ad "Connect the Dots," created for Tik Tok, shows teens how cannabis use can impair their mental cognition, showing the cause-and-effect relationship between using substances and not achieving their goals.

Our ad "Frozen" is based on research with teens, who stated that they didn't want to miss out on key milestones with loved ones or negatively impact their ability to become successful. The ad shows that smoking cannabis as a teenager changes their brains and gets them stuck where they are. It can even alter how their brains work.

Answering questions about cannabis requires clear, objective, science-based messages on topics like legal possession, DUI laws, and where you can legally use marijuana, as well as the health considerations of legal use. Our campaigns increase knowledge of health risks for priority populations like youth and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

"Let’s Talk Cannabis" is a comprehensive communication campaign that helps states establish a clear and objective source of information about what is legal and safe for the public. Originally developed for the California Department of Public Health, it delivers actionable guidelines for safe and legal use and prevents use for high-risk populations.