Training for Responsible Cannabis Sales
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to reduce the risk of marijuana and alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated customers in Oregon's recreational marijuana market. It will test a new training program for store personnel and compare it with the usual training, known as Usual and Customary Policy and Training (UC-PT). The goal is to help store workers recognize signs of intoxication and refuse sales, potentially lowering impaired driving and other related harms. Ideal candidates for this trial include store owners or employees at licensed recreational marijuana shops in the greater Portland or Salem area who are comfortable reading English and have internet access.
As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to community safety and public health improvements.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.
What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for reducing marijuana sales to intoxicated customers?
A previous study found online training for responsible marijuana sales acceptable to retail workers and promising in improving sales practices. This suggests that the policy and training program could be well-received by store staff. Another study found that current responsible vendor training doesn't always prevent sales to obviously intoxicated customers. However, this doesn't imply safety issues with the training itself.
The training focuses on helping store staff recognize signs of intoxication and comply with the law. Since it involves training sessions and policy discussions, it poses no direct safety concerns like those associated with a new drug or medical treatment. The aim is to enhance knowledge and skills, which are generally safe methods.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the "Training for Responsible Cannabis Sales" trial because it aims to enhance the existing training methods for selling recreational marijuana responsibly. Unlike the current standard training, which mainly involves reading a booklet and passing an exam, this new approach includes a comprehensive 2-hour policy meeting and access to the TrainToTend program. This program offers interactive modules covering laws, ID checking, health effects, customer service, and trade rules. This multi-faceted training could potentially lead to better compliance and a more knowledgeable workforce in the cannabis retail industry.
What evidence suggests that this intervention is effective for reducing marijuana sales to obviously-intoxicated customers?
Research has shown that online training for responsible marijuana vending is generally well-received by store staff. Over 75% of participants found the training easy to use, and nearly 70% expressed satisfaction with it. This training can improve sales practices, particularly in checking IDs and following rules. However, training alone has not stopped sales to clearly intoxicated customers. In this trial, one group will receive the Policy and Training Intervention, which combines training with policy meetings to better enforce laws against selling to intoxicated customers, aiming to address this issue. Another group will follow the Usual and Customary Policy and Training (UC-PT) as a control condition.12367
Who Is on the Research Team?
Gill Woodall, PhD
Principal Investigator
Klein Buendel, Inc.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for state-licensed recreational marijuana stores in Oregon. It aims to involve store personnel who will be trained to recognize and refuse sales to visibly intoxicated customers, potentially reducing impaired driving incidents.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Conduct pseudo-intoxicated patron (PiP) assessments at state-licensed recreational marijuana stores
Intervention
Implement a policy and training intervention to increase compliance with Oregon law prohibiting sales to obviously-intoxicated customers
Post-Intervention Assessment
Compare intervention stores to control stores using PiP assessments for refusal of sales
Follow-up
Estimate impact of the intervention on refusal rates by implementing the intervention with remaining stores and assessing with PiP protocol
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Policy and Training Intervention
- Usual and Customary Policy and Training (UC-PT)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Klein Buendel, Inc.
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Collaborator
National Opinion Research Center
Collaborator