The Future is Green: Examining the Budding Relationship Between Cannabis and Gambling

Session Title

Session 2-4-F: Panel: The Future is Green: Examining the Budding Relationship Between Cannabis and Gambling

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

29-5-2019 3:30 PM

End Date

29-5-2019 4:55 PM

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

Legalization, cultural acceptance and scientific interest in cannabis is rapidly expanding throughout the world. The cannabis industry and proponents of cannabis use as a recreational substance and as medicine have organized themselves into powerful economic, political and social groups and partnerships. As cannabis gains a stronger presence in society, an emerging area of study has to be the relationship between cannabis and gambling. Essentially every aspect of gambling activity can and will be impacted by the presence (or absence) of cannabis. A few examples of critical issues that need to be explored include: how will cannabis impact gambling revenue? Will (or should) cannabis lounges become popular in casinos? What operational policies should casino operators consider for players and employees regarding cannabis? Will cannabis because associated with gambling as frequently as smoking and drinking?

This presentation will discuss the current landscape of how cannabis and gambling behavior interact and will focus on describing and highlighting the most critical issues facing the gambling industry, researchers and regulators. Specific information and data from California’s Gambling Education and Treatment System and from the Bureau of Cannabis Control will illustrate these issues related to cannabis and gambling.

Keywords

Cannabis, Gambling, Policy, Legalization, Medical Marijuana

Author Bios

Timothy W. Fong MD

Dr. Fong is a Professor of Addiction Psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.

He is the director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, a one-year program that provides clinical training in the management of addictive disorders.

He is also the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. The purpose of this program is to examine the underlying causes and clinical characteristics of gambling disorder in order to develop effective, evidence-based treatment strategies.

Finally, he is faculty advisor to the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, a multidisciplinary effort to examine the full impact of cannabis on the body, mind and brain.

Funding Sources

UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Office of Problem Gambling, California

Competing Interests

None

Comments

The connection between cannabis and gambling is in critical need of study in order to minimize harms and negative consequences associated with the expansion and acceptance of cannabis use.

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May 29th, 3:30 PM May 29th, 4:55 PM

The Future is Green: Examining the Budding Relationship Between Cannabis and Gambling

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Legalization, cultural acceptance and scientific interest in cannabis is rapidly expanding throughout the world. The cannabis industry and proponents of cannabis use as a recreational substance and as medicine have organized themselves into powerful economic, political and social groups and partnerships. As cannabis gains a stronger presence in society, an emerging area of study has to be the relationship between cannabis and gambling. Essentially every aspect of gambling activity can and will be impacted by the presence (or absence) of cannabis. A few examples of critical issues that need to be explored include: how will cannabis impact gambling revenue? Will (or should) cannabis lounges become popular in casinos? What operational policies should casino operators consider for players and employees regarding cannabis? Will cannabis because associated with gambling as frequently as smoking and drinking?

This presentation will discuss the current landscape of how cannabis and gambling behavior interact and will focus on describing and highlighting the most critical issues facing the gambling industry, researchers and regulators. Specific information and data from California’s Gambling Education and Treatment System and from the Bureau of Cannabis Control will illustrate these issues related to cannabis and gambling.