Adolescence is a period of growth, independence, and exploration, with increased curiosity and risk-taking behaviors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021b). Evidence has shown an increase in mental health concerns during adolescence, including suicidal behaviors (CDC, 2023b; Plemmons et al., 2018; Yard et al., 2021), as well as…

Marijuana use has been linked to poor undergraduate student academic performance, yet cannabis continues to be the substance most often used by college students. The purpose of the current research was to add to the limited body of literature about the relationship between female undergraduate marijuana use and lower GPAs. The study explored how…

The focus of this study was to examine the status of medical cannabis instruction in counselor education curriculum programs. There is evidence to indicate that medical cannabis use may be beneficial in mental health care. However, there is limited research on medical cannabis in counselor education. The following research questions provided a…

For some athletes, dealing with pain is an everyday problem and can have a lasting impact long after their athletic careers. Athletes will use prescribed opioids and others will use alcohol or more illicit drugs such as cocaine or heroin for pain management. These drugs can be highly addictive and can lead to long term social, physical, emotional,…

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine the frequency of marijuana use by California university students based on gender and ethnicity. This study was important because marijuana is the most used illicit substance in the United States, and there is limited research regarding the demographic characteristics of…

This experimental 2 x 4 ANOVA study addressed the effects of marijuana-based prevention messages delivered to adult college students. The study examined the variables of sex assigned at birth, by prevention messages to determine the impact of media messages to influence internalized beliefs about marijuana. This study is unique in that it focused…

Objective: To test if intercollegiate athlete status moderates various alcohol and marijuana use relationships in a large college student sample. Participants: Students (n = 9,594, 58% White, 66% female, 8% athletes) from 16 four-year and 4 two-year public institutions in the Northeast were surveyed in Fall 2019. Method: An anonymous, web-based…

High-risk sexual behaviors (HRSBs; e.g., having sex without protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections) are a public health problem. HRSBs disproportionally impact college students and are associated with numerous negative outcomes, such as unwanted pregnancies. Alcohol use has been strongly linked to HRSBs in college…

This dissertation adds to the economic study of gun and marijuana laws. Chapter 1 studies the impact of stand your ground laws (SYGs) on traffic fatalities. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of campus concealed carry laws (CCCs) on higher education outcomes. Chapter 3 looks at the impact of medical marijuana laws (MMLs) on youth crimes. The first…

This dissertation is comprised of three essays on the economics of education. The first and third chapters examine marijuana legalization and its effects on students, while the second chapter examines the impact of pension incentives on teacher quality. The first chapter examines the extent to which there are negative spillovers of recreational…

Using the interpretative framework of social constructivism, the purpose of this study was to understand the alignment of college students' perceptions regarding cigarettes, vape products, and marijuana use with the perceptions of campus authorities charged with implementation of EO 1108. Through a qualitative case study at a California State…

Given that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among college students (A. M. Arria, Caldeira, Bugbee, Vincent, & O'Grady, 2013);(Palmer, McMahon, Moreggi, Rounsaville, & Ball, 2012);(Pinchevsky et al., 2012);(Primack et al., 2012), the increase in use and changing attitudes among Americans seems to mirror what Parker (2005)…

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of marijuana use and its impact on academic outcomes as measured by student GPA within Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities' (CHASCo) member institutions over a 5-year period. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to determine if there were differences in marijuana use…

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of marijuana use and its impact on academic outcomes as measured by student GPA within Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities' (CHASCo) member institutions over a 5-year period. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to determine if there were differences in marijuana use…

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of marijuana use and its impact on academic outcomes as measured by student GPA within Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities' (CHASCo) member institutions over a 5-year period. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to determine if there were differences in marijuana use…