Report Calls on Federal Government, States, Tribal Nations to Advance Policies that Reduce Access to Dangerous, Psychoactive Drugs
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet issued the following statement today in response to the National Academies release of its “Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity” Consensus Study Report:
“Despite a committee and reviewers partly composed of people taking marijuana industry funds and advocating for full marijuana and other drug legalization, it appears that for the most part, the evidence prevailed. The National Academies’ report says it all when it says – ‘legalization prompted the creation of commercial markets, driving an industry focused on profits over public health.’ That’s the message our organization and our allies in the medical community and law enforcement have been delivering for more than a decade. It is the message policy makers MUST hear when it comes to dangerous psychoactive THC drugs and marijuana.”
The National Academies report recommends a number of strategic policy developments that Smart Approaches to Marijuana has championed including:
- Congressional action to make clear that no form of THC or semisynthetic cannabinoid derived from hemp is exempt from the Controlled Substances Act;
- Prioritization of public health at the forefront of state and federal cannabis policy;
- Establishment by the CDC, state, tribal and other partners, of a public health surveillance system to understand cannabis’ health impacts; and
- Creation of a public health campaign to educate about the risk of cannabis, how to identify risky behavior, and strategies to lower risks.
“During testimony earlier this year, we and the parents we work with every day made it clear that state-sanctioned legalization has been a disaster for young people, minority communities, and public safety. Today’s report demonstrates the reality of those serious health consequences that have been associated with the rapid expansion of the marijuana industry. Medical and scientific professionals continue to reflect our message that the nation should not legalize marijuana and THC drug products including edibles, drinks, vape oils and other forms of the drug.”
The National Academies report goes on to address the inequities associated with the rapid commercialization of marijuana. The report calls for:
- State cannabis regulators to evaluate and revise social equity policies; and
- The CDC, states and tribal partners supporting research into how state and local regulations of cannabis are influencing health outcomes and health equity.
Finally, the report recommends that states that have adopted legalization should also advance criminal justice reforms and automatic expungement or sealing of records for low-level cannabis-related offenses.
“While the National Academies report is right to recommend criminal justice reforms and expungements, it fails to note that these policies do not need to be paired with a commercial THC drug market. We can and must advance criminal justice reforms without further fueling a profit and addiction-driven industry that will exacerbate our nation’s addiction crisis creating more heartbreak for families across the nation.
“We look forward to further dialogue with policy makers to advance a conversation that protects all Americans and keeps our young people free from dangerous, addictive drugs.”