# Development of a Novel Cannabis Brief Intervention for Frequently-Using Emerging Adults

> **NIH NIH K23** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $205,360

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The overall aim of the proposed K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is to
provide Dr. Gex with the training and research activities needed to become an independent investigator. Her
program of research will focus on developing and delivering novel brief interventions for problematic substance
use and increasing accessibility and uptake of efficacious interventions. Cannabis is the most widely used
federally illicit substance among emerging adults (age 18-25) in the U.S., and frequent cannabis use is
associated with myriad long-term consequences. Despite this, rates of perceived risk of daily/regular cannabis
use have steadily declined over the past two decades. Several cannabis brief interventions have been developed
and tested to date; however, meta-analyses indicate that the evidence for efficacy is mixed and that the quality
of studies is low, suggesting that novel and more rigorous approaches are necessary. The proposed project will
employ the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development to develop and test the feasibility,
acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel brief intervention. In addition, cannabis-specific candidate
mechanisms of behavior change will be explored, including motives for use, protective behavioral strategies,
consideration of future consequences, and proportional substance-free/-related reinforcement. This innovative
proposal includes training activities to ensure that Dr. Gex achieves the following new career goals: (1) Develop
expertise in the assessment and prevention of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder; (2) Receive training in
the development and evaluation of behavioral interventions by (2a) Enhancing qualitative and mixed methods
research skills and (2b) Receiving advanced training in the design and implementation of clinical intervention
trials; (3) Develop expertise in the science of mechanisms of behavior change; and (4) Enhance skills in scientific
and grant writing and professional development. Under the mentorship of a multidisciplinary team of outstanding
investigators (Drs. Kevin Gray, Rachel Tomko, and Shannon Phillips at the Medical University of South Carolina,
Dr. Christine Lee at the University of Washington, and Dr. Ben Ladd at Washington State University), the
candidate will develop and evaluate a novel in-person brief intervention addressing frequent cannabis use in
emerging adults. The combination of outstanding mentorship, hands-on experiences, and didactics and formal
coursework afforded by the proposed K23 award will significantly enhance the candidate’s career development
in patient-oriented research focused on the prevention and early intervention of substance use disorders in
emerging adults and will provide a valuable training experience and critical preliminary data to support future R-
series applications. This K23 application is directly responsive to NIDA’s Strategic Plan to develop new and
improved strategie...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10774644
- **Project number:** 1K23DA058077-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathryn Gex
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $205,360
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-15 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10774644

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10774644, Development of a Novel Cannabis Brief Intervention for Frequently-Using Emerging Adults (1K23DA058077-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10774644. Licensed CC0.

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