Our Vision and Mission

We envision a society where public policy related to cannabis and other substances protects health and advances equity in all its forms.

We use scientific research to identify and advocate for cannabis policy that advances public health and equity, prioritizing groups vulnerable to harms, such as youth. We engage and support partners in our work to ensure that government and industry actions align with these priorities.

Strategies We Use:

  • Scientific Research
  • Policy Design
  • Technical assistance to government and community partners
  • Key audience education
  • Community stakeholder engagement
  • Advocacy
  • Accountability

What We Do

In most states, cannabis legalization has focused mainly on creating a legal profit-making system rather than putting guardrails in place to promote public health, protect youth, and advance social equity.

We provide technical assstance to jurisdictions that are currently regulating cannabis, considering legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis, and to community partners. We develop and share models for safer and more effective cannabis policy, and provide guidance on policies that can reduce harm and prevent problem cannabis use.

We take an evidence-based approach by carrying out and drawing on scientific research, cannabis policy analyses, and lessons from tobacco and alcohol control.

Please contact Aurash Soroosh for more information.

New Study Finds Daily Cannabis Use Rising Among California Teens Post-Legalization

Getting it Right from the Start, October 13, 2025

CA — A new peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, co-authored by researchers from UC Irvine, UCLA, and the Public Health Institute’s (PHI) Getting it Right from the Start (GIRFTS), finds that frequent cannabis use among California 11th graders rose sharply after the adult-use cannabis retailers began opening in 2018.

Press Release

AB 564 Signed: Governor Newsom Breaks 2022 Promises and Chooses Big Cannabis Profits Over Children and Environment

September 22, 2025

Statement from Dr. Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, Director, Getting it Right from the Start, an initiative of the Public Health Institute:

“We are profoundly disappointed that the legislature passed, and Governor Newsom chose to sign, AB 564 (Haney), siding with the cannabis industry’s false narrative of being ‘in crisis’ instead of standing with California’s children, families, and environment.”

Read

Cannabis vape product advertising exposure is associated with its use and frequency among U.S. Young adults

Co-authored by Getting it Right from the Start’s Alisa Padon, December, 2025

This new study in Addictive Behaviors examined cannabis vape product use among young adults. The research found that exposure to CVP advertising—especially on social media—strongly predicts both likelihood and frequency of use, highlighting the urgent need for stronger marketing restrictions and public health interventions.

Read

California’s cannabis packaging rules are failing. Kids are paying the price

Sacramento Bee, August 25, 2025

A new Sacramento Bee article features PHI’s Dr. Lynn Silver on the dangers of today’s high-THC, candy-like cannabis products, as child poisonings have surged nearly 500% since legalization. The story also examines bills in the Legislature that would slash $180 million from prevention and youth programs promised under Prop 64.

Read

Have questions?

We can help!

 

Getting it Right from the Start
Public Health Institute
2000 Center Street, Ste 308
Berkeley, CA 94704
P: (510) 344-7221

gettingitright@phi.org

 

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We want to hear from you! Please contact Aurash Soroosh for more information or with any questions you have.

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Getting it Right from the Start Follow

Research, capacity building and advocacy to protect public health, youth and equity in cannabis policy. Also find us at @getitrightonmj.bsky.social

GetItRightonMJ
getitrightonmj Getting it Right from the Start @getitrightonmj ·
19 Jun

1/@GuardianUS’s @andrewgregory covers our @Heart_BMJ editorial on the new meta-analysis of 24 studies — involving ...~200 million people — finding #cannabis use linked to 2x higher risk of death from #HeartDisease & 20% higher risk of stroke.

Read article:

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getitrightonmj Getting it Right from the Start @getitrightonmj ·
18 Jun

1/@KQED’s @adembosky covers editorial in @Heart_BMJ (By Dr. Silver & @ProfGlantz) re: new meta-analysis that ...found #cannabis users face:

• 29% higher risk of #HeartAttack
• 20% higher risk of #Stroke
• Double the risk of #CardiovascularDeath

Read:

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getitrightonmj Getting it Right from the Start @getitrightonmj ·
18 Jun

1/Major new @CNN story about our editorial (& accompanying study) in @Heart_BMJ: Using #cannabis doubles risk of ...dying from #HeartDisease, with significantly increased risk for #HeartAttacks (+29%) & stroke (+20%).

Read more:

#Cannabis #HeartHealth

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