The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have released a report highlighting the urgent need for federal action to address the growing risks associated with cannabis use. The report emphasizes that policymakers can take steps to mitigate these risks without requiring new legislation.
The report notes that despite hundreds of research articles documenting the negative consequences of cannabis use, daily or near-daily users now outnumber regular alcohol drinkers. States have legalized recreational marijuana with minimal federal oversight, allowing manufacturers to downplay the risks and exaggerate the therapeutic benefits.
The report recommends that the federal government take several steps to address the issue. First, it suggests developing a research agenda to learn from the experiences of other harmful products, such as tobacco and alcohol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could also establish best practices for limiting youth access to cannabis and set up a public health surveillance system to track the impacts of cannabis use.
Second, the report recommends leading public education campaigns to raise awareness about the proven harms of cannabis use. These campaigns could promote strategies for identifying risky behavior, treatments for those already suffering from the effects of cannabis use, and targeted messaging for those most vulnerable to harm.
Third, the report highlights the need for the government to reverse a law that inadvertently opened the door for dangerous, intoxicating products. The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, but this has led to the proliferation of synthetic products that can be changed into THC, a psychoactive drug. These products are often marketed as non-intoxicating hemp or CBD, but can have similar risks to naturally occurring THC.
The report concludes that the federal government must take action to protect the public’s health and safety. This includes refining the definition of “hemp” to exclude products that contain THC or semisynthetic cannabinoids, and educating potential users about the risks associated with these products. The report also emphasizes the need for the government to stop ceding its authority to control these drugs and instead take a proactive approach to regulating the industry.
Overall, the report emphasizes that protecting the public’s health must come first, and that the federal government has a responsibility to take action to address the growing risks associated with cannabis use.
