In The Weeds Poster Contest
Prevention through Creative Expression Starts Here.
We’re launching the first-ever In The Weeds Poster Contest — inviting St. Louis high school students to use creativity as a tool for prevention, awareness, and healthy decision-making.
This contest is an opportunity to turn credible facts into powerful visuals that spark conversation, challenge misinformation, and support youth wellness across our communities.
Download Creative Brief
About The Contest
This is your chance to make prevention visible.
The In The Weeds Poster Contest, powered by PreventEd, invites students in grades 9 – 12 to explore how creativity can shape conversations about cannabis prevention and youth health.
Through art, we can change how people think, feel, and talk about substance use. Submitted posters should encourage positive decision-making, self-expression, and care for your community — using fact-based messaging, not opinion or promotion.
The winning poster will receive a cash prize and be featured in a St. Louis-area awareness campaign, appearing across social media, digital placements, and print materials as part of PreventEd’s In The Weeds initiative.
Who Can Enter: Missouri students in grades 9 – 12
Entry Fee: Free
Media Accepted: Digital or hand-drawn artwork (submitted digitally)
Timeline
| Key Date | Milestone |
| January 30 | Contest Opens |
| March 6 | Submission Deadline |
| March 16 – 31 | Public Voting |
| April 1 | Winners Announced |
| May 2026 | Poster Showcase Event + Campaign Launch |
Approved Topics
Explore the Power of Prevention.
Your poster should interpret the theme “Prevention Through Creative Expression.” Choose one or more of these pre-approved topic areas for inspiration:
- THC & the Brain: How cannabis impacts learning, memory, and development
- Cannabis Use Disorder: Understanding risk and long-term effects
- Overuse & Overdose: Recognizing physical and mental health impacts
- Driving Safety: How cannabis affects reaction time and perception
- Smoke & Vaping Risks: Toxins found in cannabis smoke and THC vapes
- Mental Health: Connections between cannabis use, anxiety, depression, and other conditions
Full topic language and approved statistics are available in the Creative Brief
Guidelines
Use pre-approved topic
Do not glorify or promote cannabis use
Original Work
Appropriate for school
Design Specs
Submission Requirements
- Submissions must be completed through the official contest submission form
- Students must submit using their school-issued email address
- Personal email addresses will not be accepted
- One entry per student
- Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered
Review & Voting Process
Internal Review
All submissions will be reviewed by PreventEd and Magnetize to ensure:
- Accuracy of facts
- Appropriate content and tone
- Compliance with originality and design guidelines
Submissions that do not meet requirements will be disqualified.
Public Voting
Approved posters will move to public voting:
- One vote per person/device/IP
- Posters are judged on message impact and creativity
Stay Connected
Follow PreventEd for updates, inspiration, and to see featured student artwork from across Missouri.
@PreventEd #InTheWeedsMO
Check out our PreventEd programs
Through a supportive environment, GuidEd enhances motivation to change, helps explore the consequences of substance use, and works to develop healthier alternatives.
Initiation of cannabis use is common during the high school years. It’s Complicated is a cannabis peer-teaching program for high school students.
Prevention, Education and Support is for adults too. Our Adult Assessment connects adults with the resources to make positive changes in their lives.
Our Talk About It campaign focuses on the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol and is dedicated to giving families the encouragement, resources, and tools to have these life-changing discussions.
“I didn’t know that everyone has risk factors that affect drug use. Now that I do, I’m really trying to incorporate that into my life to keep me on pace and stay away from drugs and drug use.”
Adolescent, 17
“Students in my class have increased their empathy and reduced their angry outbursts.”
Teacher
“I have seen students using the vocabulary, acknowledging peer pressure, and be willing to problem-solve with peer conflicts.”
Teacher
“I am profoundly grateful for your unwavering support and expertise in guiding my child towards recovery. Your dedication and professionalism have been instrumental in this life-changing journey. My child’s newfound sobriety stands as a testament to your remarkable efforts."
Parent of Adolescent
"It was very informative and I learned more about the brain and how it's affected by substances. I'm definitely going to apply what I've learned in my everyday life."
Adolescent, 17
“This program has been so good for my child. He learned a lot. His focus now will be doing better in school and working to save money. Thank you for all the support at a time that I didn’t know how to deal with this.”
