Addressing Youth Cannabis Use & Adult Influence
The passage of Proposition 64 changed the cannabis landscape in California. National data shows more youth are becoming susceptible to experimenting with cannabis and their perception of risks associated with cannabis use is declining (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021). This session aims to discuss new and innovative strategies to educate both youth and adult audiences (e.g., mentors, local health departments, community-based organizations, and partners) on the risks of underage cannabis use and share information about the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) new and upcoming statewide youth cannabis education and prevention campaign.
Moderator:
Dani Loebs, Host
Associate Director
Rescue Agency
Dani has led behavior change campaigns across the public and private sectors for 11 years. She is passionate about navigating the complexities of public health behavior to uncover approachable solutions for local, state, and federal organizations to implement. As a moderator, her voracious curiosity is matched by her unbridled enthusiasm to promote CDPH’s insights for the benefit of all.
Panelists:
Jessica Hwang
Cannabis Program Specialist
California Department of Public Health
Cannabis Program Specialist
California Department of Public Health
Jessica Hwang, MPH: Jessica Hwang is the Cannabis Program Specialist in the Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch, California Department of Public Health. She leads the coordination, planning, and implementation of CDPH’s Youth Cannabis Education and Prevention Media Campaign.
Kristen Mar
Cannabis Policy and Program Specialist
California Department of Public Health
Cannabis Policy and Program Specialist
California Department of Public Health
Kristen Mar, MPH, CHES: Kristen Mar is the Cannabis Policy and Program Specialist in the Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch, California Department of Public Health. Her work focuses on the policy and programmatic aspects of the Youth Cannabis Prevention Initiative.
Shiloh Beckerley, Ph.D.
VP of Research and Evaluation
Rescue Agency
VP of Research and Evaluation
Rescue Agency
Shiloh Beckerley, Ph.D.: Shiloh Beckerley is Vice President of Research and Evaluation at Rescue Agency. For the past 16 years, her research has focused on behavior change and health promotion, including substance use reduction and prevention. She has served as Principal Investigator for research and evaluation projects for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health, California Department of Social Services, Colorado Department of Human Services, the San Diego Department of Health & Human Services, among others. Shiloh received her PhD in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
Christina Malave
Senior Account Supervisor
Rescue Agency
Senior Account Supervisor
Rescue Agency
Christina Malave: From inception to implementation, Christina has over 6 years of experience developing marketing campaigns across various industries. She has focused her career on making the world a healthier and safer place to live in. From medications that help to slow the symptoms of Alzheimer's to registered 501c3s that raise awareness for head and neck cancer, Christina has managed successful 360-degree campaigns that have brought positive change to the world. She currently works as a Senior Account Supervisor for Rescue Agency and leads campaign planning and implementation of the California Department of Public Health's Youth Cannabis Prevention Initiative.