Across southeast Minnesota, public health educators wanted parents and caregivers to know that the conversation about cannabis can start early and grow over time.
The Regional Cannabis Communication Campaign was created with that goal and is supported by the Cannabis Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) program, a key initiative funded by the Minnesota Department of Health. This program provides grants to local health departments and Tribal health departments to support crucial prevention, education, and policy work related to cannabis and other substance use.
The 11-county partnership was formed to maximize the grant’s impact. When all 11 counties deliver the same message, consistency builds trust. This unity strengthens credibility by ensuring residents are less likely to receive conflicting information. The coordinated approach also achieves greater reach and impact, amplifying visibility as people are more likely to notice and remember a message encountered repeatedly across different channels and locations.
“It’s essential that we share information in ways that genuinely reach our communities. The Speaking of Cannabis campaign helps us connect with the individuals who most need to hear our message--cannabis has changed, and understanding the risks is more important than ever,” said Grace Pint, Rice County Public Health (her role).
Regional tools and shared messages make it easier for local health departments to reach families, as the collaboration ensures a more efficient use of local resources. Pooling efforts reduces duplicated work, lowers costs, and allows smaller counties to benefit from shared expertise. By aligning their messages and focusing on facts, the campaign also helps reduce the risk of misinformation.
“Local public health staff wear many hats,” said Bri Ceaser, public health educator with Houston County. “We are assessing which issues are affecting our communities, like mental health or substance use, and then work with our partners to address those needs using the funding we have.”
Ceaser added that these grants also come with important requirements, including following best practices, creating a work plan, and reporting results.
“But in many smaller counties, one health educator might be juggling five or six different projects at the same time,” Ceaser said. “That’s why this regional collaboration is such a clear benefit to all of our residents. We could share the workload and not have to reinvent the wheel.”
The Speaking of Cannabis initiative is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Improvement Bureau and is featured as part of the Preferred Business sponsored content program. Local residents can find more information by visiting Goodhue County Health and Human Services.
Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties are partnering to inform adults through the website speakingofcannabis.org.
This activity is made possible by a grant from the Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention program of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Improvement Bureau.
The Regional Cannabis Communication Campaign is part of the sponsored content program called Spotlight.
If you would like to connect with our Wabasha County Cannabis and Substance Misuse Prevention Collaborative, please reach out to Tina Moen, Wabasha County Coordinator at tmoen@co.wabasha.mn.us.
