Economics and Policies of Drug Abuse
My research concentrates on economics, policy, epidemiological, behavioral, and spatial studies of drug abuse and related consequences, including but not limited to the abuse of cannabis, tobacco, opioid analgesics, and other legal and illicit drugs.
Research on cannabis use and related consequences
My primary research explores the epidemiology, economics, and policies surrounding cannabis use and its outcomes. Over the past three decades, medical cannabis policies have been adopted in nearly 40 states, while recreational cannabis policies have expanded to half the states in recent years. These shifts have dramatically altered the legal, physical, economic, and marketing landscapes of cannabis in the U.S. However, empirical research on the impacts of these changes remains limited, hindering evidence-based policymaking. My studies have documented the epidemiology and spatial distribution of cannabis use, particularly among vulnerable populations. My work has also identified associations between policy, economic, marketing, and environmental factors and cannabis use among adolescents and adults. This research informs public health professionals about pressing issues related to cannabis use and provides empirical evidence to support policymakers and community leaders in shaping cannabis prevention and regulation strategies.
Research on tobacco use and related consequences
I also investigate the epidemiology of tobacco use and tobacco control policies, with a particular focus on non-cigarette products such as electronic cigarettes and cigars. While cigarette smoking has declined, the use of novel tobacco products has surged, especially among vulnerable populations and younger individuals. My research highlights emerging concerns about non-cigarette tobacco products, their associations with cigarette smoking and other health outcomes, and the impact of policy, economic, marketing, and environmental factors on tobacco use. This work underscores the need for tailored policymaking and treatment approaches that account for population characteristics and the diversity of tobacco products. It also provides empirical evidence to inform prevention and regulation efforts for non-cigarette tobacco products.
Research on opioid analgesics use and related consequences
Opioid crisis has become the top public health concern. Policies and programs that are designed to reduce problematic use and negative consequences of opioid analgesics have shown promises. Nonetheless, less attention has been given to unintended impacts from other policies and programs, such as cannabis regulation. This line of work focuses on the epidemiology of cannabis and opioid use and related consequences, and the influences of cannabis regulation on the opioid epidemic. The research provides empirical evidence to assist policymaking related to the prevention and control of cannabis and opioid.
Experimental research on drug abuse
Due to limitations of observational data, I employ experimental methodologies to understand consumer behavior in response to drug policies. Using techniques such as eye-tracking, discrete choice experiments, best-worst scaling, simulated purchase tasks, and experimental cannabis marketplaces, my studies assess the effectiveness of different regulatory approaches for underregulated substances like cannabis and electronic cigarettes.
Research on point-of-sale and social media marketing
As cannabis and non-cigarette tobacco products become increasingly commercialized, point-of-sale marketing in retail settings has expanded rapidly. At the same time, industries leverage social media to complement traditional marketing tactics, posing new challenges for drug prevention and regulation. I develop and validate instruments to assess marketing activities, conduct fieldwork to monitor drug retail environments, and analyze social media data to understand drug use trends. My research examines the relationship between marketing strategies and drug use, providing empirical insights to support drug use surveillance, law enforcement, and the effectiveness of marketing regulations.
Research funded by
NIH/NIDA, TRDRP, CA DCC, UCSD
Research on cannabis use and related consequences
My primary research explores the epidemiology, economics, and policies surrounding cannabis use and its outcomes. Over the past three decades, medical cannabis policies have been adopted in nearly 40 states, while recreational cannabis policies have expanded to half the states in recent years. These shifts have dramatically altered the legal, physical, economic, and marketing landscapes of cannabis in the U.S. However, empirical research on the impacts of these changes remains limited, hindering evidence-based policymaking. My studies have documented the epidemiology and spatial distribution of cannabis use, particularly among vulnerable populations. My work has also identified associations between policy, economic, marketing, and environmental factors and cannabis use among adolescents and adults. This research informs public health professionals about pressing issues related to cannabis use and provides empirical evidence to support policymakers and community leaders in shaping cannabis prevention and regulation strategies.
Research on tobacco use and related consequences
I also investigate the epidemiology of tobacco use and tobacco control policies, with a particular focus on non-cigarette products such as electronic cigarettes and cigars. While cigarette smoking has declined, the use of novel tobacco products has surged, especially among vulnerable populations and younger individuals. My research highlights emerging concerns about non-cigarette tobacco products, their associations with cigarette smoking and other health outcomes, and the impact of policy, economic, marketing, and environmental factors on tobacco use. This work underscores the need for tailored policymaking and treatment approaches that account for population characteristics and the diversity of tobacco products. It also provides empirical evidence to inform prevention and regulation efforts for non-cigarette tobacco products.
Research on opioid analgesics use and related consequences
Opioid crisis has become the top public health concern. Policies and programs that are designed to reduce problematic use and negative consequences of opioid analgesics have shown promises. Nonetheless, less attention has been given to unintended impacts from other policies and programs, such as cannabis regulation. This line of work focuses on the epidemiology of cannabis and opioid use and related consequences, and the influences of cannabis regulation on the opioid epidemic. The research provides empirical evidence to assist policymaking related to the prevention and control of cannabis and opioid.
Experimental research on drug abuse
Due to limitations of observational data, I employ experimental methodologies to understand consumer behavior in response to drug policies. Using techniques such as eye-tracking, discrete choice experiments, best-worst scaling, simulated purchase tasks, and experimental cannabis marketplaces, my studies assess the effectiveness of different regulatory approaches for underregulated substances like cannabis and electronic cigarettes.
Research on point-of-sale and social media marketing
As cannabis and non-cigarette tobacco products become increasingly commercialized, point-of-sale marketing in retail settings has expanded rapidly. At the same time, industries leverage social media to complement traditional marketing tactics, posing new challenges for drug prevention and regulation. I develop and validate instruments to assess marketing activities, conduct fieldwork to monitor drug retail environments, and analyze social media data to understand drug use trends. My research examines the relationship between marketing strategies and drug use, providing empirical insights to support drug use surveillance, law enforcement, and the effectiveness of marketing regulations.
Research funded by
NIH/NIDA, TRDRP, CA DCC, UCSD
