Webinar: Policy implications of COVID-19 on alcohol and marijuana use
Since the onset of COVID-19, many states and communities have dramatically loosened restrictions on alcohol and marijuana use and access, including restrictions on delivery, internet sales, takeout, and outdoor consumption. Justification for these changes includes economic relief for small businesses, COVID safety, and the accepted norm that substance use is a reasonable coping strategy. The nature of alcohol and marijuana use has also changed since the start of COVID. More people are drinking or using marijuana in isolation or as a means of coping for depression, anxiety, or boredom. This webinar will offer strategies for monitoring and mitigating the effects of these changes to ensure that they are temporary.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understand what policies have changed during the pandemic
- Identify the implications of lessened restrictions on risk factors for alcohol and marijuana use
- List strategies for monitoring and mitigating the potential negative impact of policy change on community norms