Utah County approves $15,000 contract for parent-focused medical-cannabis prevention campaign

Utah County commissioners voted 2-0 on Sept. 22 to approve a contract with Voncom to develop prevention messaging about medical cannabis targeted at parents.

Heather Lewis of the Utah County Health Department said the campaign is modeled after successful programs such as "Parents Empowered," which educates parents about the harms of underage substance use. Lewis said the campaign will help pharmacy patients and parents understand safe storage and disposal of medical cannabis and that the funding comes through the state Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

Lewis described the project as part of a statewide coordinated effort among public-health districts and said the county’s portion is roughly $15,000 earmarked for a three-year campaign. "We don't have any prevention messaging to educate parents...the point of this funding is to... create a statewide campaign so that the messaging is unified," Lewis said.

Commissioners asked whether physicians alone provide sufficient education; staff noted clinicians receive limited continuing training on medical cannabis and that broader public messaging can reinforce safe practices. The motion to approve the contract carried by voice vote.