The 6th annual CannAct Conference brings public health professionals, prevention specialists, equity advocates, public safety professionals, tobacco prevention professionals, partners, and other advocates together virtually to discuss the new and changing legalized cannabis landscape in our communities. The conference focus is policy, system and environmental change.

Jill Hutson moderates a panel at the 2018 conference.

National and local experts will lead discussions for those who currently have legalized retail cannabis and for those who want to be prepared for when it comes.

Some of this year’s topics include:

Cannabis legalization: Past, present, future

  • Cannabis policy and health equity

  • Creating cannabis campaigns for youth today in the midst of the mental health crisis

  • Models of state cannabis public health prevention work

  • Employee use and the shifting legal landscape

  • Cannabis use throughout the lifespan: A review of current research and strategies for prevention

  • Cannabis youth prevention tool-kit

  • The convergence of cannabis use disorder and mental health

  • Public education and cannabis

  • Legalization scramble: How to clarify, streamline, and educate on new cannabis laws

  • Issues state regulators are facing today

  • Positive alternative to suspension approaches for middle- and high-schools

  • Evaluating community cannabis policies

  • Greening out - What teens are saying today about weed

  • Youth perceptions and lived experiences on cannabis use in their community

Plenary Speakers from 2024:

Gillian L. Schauer, PhD, MPH | Executive Director, Cannabis Regulators Association

Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, FSAHM | Stanford University, Founder and Executive Director Cannabis Awareness and Prevention Toolkit

Krysten Isaac | Vice President, Rescue: The Behavior Change Agency

Lyndsey Kellum, MEd | Research Scientist, Program Evaluator, Drug & Alcohol Institute, University of Washington

Dr. Beatriz Carlini, PhD, MPH | Research Associate Professor, Drug & Alcohol Institute, University of Washington

Sharon Garrett, MPH, MA | Research Scientist, Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, University of Washington

Robb Hutson, MA | President, CannAct Organizer, Rede Group