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.

Searchlight on Smokeshops: Psychoactive Products in California Smoke Shops

By Getting it Right from the Start and San Fernando Valley Partnership, September 8, 2026

A new policy brief from Getting it Right from the Start and San Fernando Valley Partnership examines the availability of psychoactive products at 86 retailers in 23 California communities. Researchers found that half of smoke shops visited carried kratom or 7-OH, nearly a quarter sold nitrous oxide, and psychoactive mushroom products were also common—highlighting gaps in regulation and enforcement.

Nearly Half of Intoxicating Hemp Posts on Instagram Use Youth-Oriented Marketing; Just 2.5% Carry Warnings

Getting it Right from the Start (and co-authors), August 19, 2026

New research finds widespread youth-oriented marketing of intoxicating hemp products on Instagram—with almost no health or age warnings. Researchers analyzed 837 posts from nine leading brands and found nearly half used youth-oriented content, while just 2.5% carried warnings. The findings come as federal protections restricting these products face renewed challenges in Congress.

Cannabis policy priorities and public health: a survey of elected officials in California

By Getting it Right from the Start, BMC Health, May 29, 2026

New peer-reviewed research authored by our Getting it Right from the Start team  provides some of the first empirical evidence that economic considerations often compete with—and sometimes outweigh—public health priorities in cannabis policymaking.

How Do Cannabis Ads Influence Youth Perceptions of Cannabis?

Co-authored by Getting it Right from the Start, Substance Use & Misuse, March 26, 2026

CA — A new peer-reviewed study we co-authored examined how specific cannabis advertising features influence youth perceptions—a key driver of use. Among California youth (ages 16–20), ads featuring flavors, playful imagery, and positive experiences made cannabis seem more appealing and less dangerous, while other features increased perceptions of harm.

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

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

1/A field survey from @GetItRightonMJ / San Fernando Valley Partnership visited 86 smokeshops in 23 communities found:

-49% sold #kratom
-24% sold #NitrousOxide
-19% sold psychoactive mushroom products
-37% within 4 blocks of schools/colleges

See Brief: https://t.co/AeK427U7Mr

Cannabis-related Poison Control calls for CA kids 5 & under rose 406% betw. 2016-2024.

@GavinNewsom/@CAGovernor has signed #AB2249 (@ASM_Irwin/@jacquiirwin) to better protect kids from #cannabis packaging & marketing made to appeal to them.

@ABC10 story: https://t.co/JOFfEUDy8u

Laughing gas belongs in the dentist's office—not the smoke shop.

#CALeg unanimously passed a bill to restrict large, flavored & direct-inhalation nitrous oxide products while protecting legitimate uses.

@CAGovernor: Sign SB 936 (@SenBlakespear @SenatorUmberg @JuanAlanisCA)