Marijuana and social media
Marijuana and social media
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Many leisure hashish firms market their merchandise in a method that appeals to kids and youths, flouting state rules, in accordance with a brand new examine within the Journal of Research on Alcohol and Medicine. This advertising and marketing is definitely seen by folks of all ages on social media.
“I had anticipated that hashish firms had been unlikely to completely adhere to current tips,” says lead writer Megan Moreno, M.D., M.S.Ed., M.P.H., division chief of basic pediatrics and adolescent medication on the College of Wisconsin-Madison. “Some hashish firms generated dozens of social media posts per day, and there’s no present system in place to watch or implement these rules. Nonetheless, it was stunning to see how the presence of tips made a distinction between states.”
Of their examine, the researchers evaluated one 12 months of posts on Fb and Instagram by retail firms from 4 states through which leisure marijuana use is authorized (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington). They appeared for each restricted content material (resembling reductions, modeling overconsumption, youth-focused messaging, and well being advantages) and required warnings (restricted to age 21 and older, avoiding impaired driving, and well being dangers).
The researchers analyzed 2,660 posts from 14 companies. Regardless of being prohibited, reductions or promotions had been present in roughly 35% of all posts. Overconsumption was present in 12%. Content material containing warnings, regardless of being required, was current in lower than half.
For instance, Washington State prohibits displaying branded merchandise, resembling t-shirts with an organization emblem. About 1% of the posts on social media from Washington state hashish firms nonetheless contained this content material. Nonetheless, in states with out this regulation, these kinds of posts appeared between 5 and 10 occasions extra regularly. So whereas regulation didn’t assure compliance, it appeared to have an impact.
The researchers say that content material designed to enchantment to youth tradition (for instance, with recognizable characters) and finances limitations (resembling reductions) is clearly nonetheless getting used, regardless of present rules.
“As a pediatrician, I do know that advertising and marketing and commercials have a powerful affect on youngsters and youths,” says Moreno. “Earlier research have proven how alcohol and tobacco firms’ advertising and marketing is related to youth utilizing these merchandise.”
She stresses that folks have to be conscious that kids are doubtless being uncovered to such a content material.
“Dad and mom ought to speak with their youngsters about how hashish firms search to affect them by utilizing youth-friendly approaches, like utilizing cartoon characters and memes,” says Moreno.
The findings are equally very important for policymakers.
“It is necessary for them to know that the restrictions and necessities for the way hashish firms use social media are significant,” says Moreno. “Steps to make these guidelines extra impactful embrace having monitoring techniques in place and designating penalties for violations of those restrictions and necessities.”
Press contact:
Sara Benzel
608-852-2605
sbenzel@uwhealth.org
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Marijuana and social media
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