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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Mar;82(2):204-213.
doi: 10.15288/jsad.2021.82.204.

Randomized Trial Testing an Online Responsible Vendor Training in Recreational Marijuana Stores in the United States

David B Buller  1 , W Gill Woodall  1 , Robert Saltz  2 , Andrew Grayson  1 , Mary Klein Buller  1 , Gary R Cutter  3 , Sierra Svendsen  1 , Xia Liu  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized Trial Testing an Online Responsible Vendor Training in Recreational Marijuana Stores in the United States

David B Buller et al. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: An online training in responsible marijuana vendor (RMV) practices was evaluated for effects on compliance with ID checking regulations.

Method: A random sample of state-licensed recreational marijuana stores (n = 175) in Colorado and Washington State was selected in 2016-2017 and was enrolled in a randomized pretest-posttest controlled design. After baseline assessment, 75 stores were randomly assigned to a usual and customary training control group, stratified by state and region. The remaining stores (n = 100) were invited to use the RMV training. Stores were posttested at 3 and 9 months postrandomization. The primary outcome was refusal of sale measured with pseudo-underage patrons who attempted to enter stores and purchase cannabis without a state-approved ID.

Results: There was no difference by treatment group in refusal of pseudo-underage patron buyers (baseline: 92.5% intervention vs. 94.7% control; 3-month posttest 94.8% vs. 97.5%; 9-month posttest 97.5% vs. 97.1%, p = .286 [one tailed, adjusted for covariates]). The use of training increased refusals at store entry (trained: 65.9% baseline 82.5%, 3 months 79.9%, 9 months; not trained: 82.6%, 83.1%, 84.5%, p = .020 [two tailed, adjusted for covariates]). This difference was especially evident in Washington State (trained: 40.3%, 65.1%, 60.4%; not trained: 57.9%, 68.5%, 72.3%) but not in Colorado (trained: 95.2%, 101.0%, 101.4; not trained: 95.7%, 98.6%, 99.2%, p = .033 [two tailed, adjusted for covariates]).

Conclusions: When used by store personnel, online RMV training increased refusal of buyers who appeared young and did not provide a state-approved ID. However, it did not improve refusal rates overall. Stores that had lower refusals at baseline and used the training may have benefited from it.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03073291.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT flow diagram of trial. CO = Colorado; WA = Washington.
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