Step back five years. The only use for Cannabis was for a medical reason and required a doctor's prescription. Its accessibility was very limited.
So, back to the future today. What is new?
A new report calls for public education and closing of legal loopholes to keep the public safe.
The News
As more states have legalized the sale of cannabis, a fractured and inconsistent legal framework has emerged across the country that has prioritized sales income and tax revenue over public health, a new report finds.
The report, issued Thursday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, describes an “urgent need for a coordinated public health response.” The Academies, a nonprofit advisory group of the nation’s leading scientists, said that such a response should include a federally-led campaign to educate parents, children, and others about the risks of an increasingly potent drug.
Among the other suggestions, the report also calls for a lifting of research restrictions on cannabis. In recent years, many claims have been made about the medicinal and other health effects of the drug but often without substantiation from science.
Potency
Currently, 24 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have legalized the sale of cannabis for recreational use, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures. In 13 other states, cannabis is legal for medicinal use.
Even as a patchwork of laws and regulations have emerged, the potency of cannabis products has surged, as measured by the growing concentration of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The rapid increases have left the public unaware of the health risks, particularly to young people, pregnant women and seniors, according to Yasmin Hurd, director of the Addiction Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine and the vice chair of the committee that issued the latest report.
Given the potency changes and the proliferation in varieties of products, “cannabis is no longer the same drug as what people thought they were voting on,” Dr. Hurd said. “There is a consensus that we need educational campaigns.”
Dr. Hurd emphasized a related key finding of the report: There is a booming industry for unregulated products derived from hemp, including ones containing delta-8 THC, another psychoactive substance that some manufacturers have learned to extract from hemp. The report calls on Congress to address what Ms. Hurd called “loopholes” that have led to the spread of such products.
Recommendations
The report was sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Cancer Institute, among other funders. The report, in addition to seeking action at the federal level, recommended action at the state level, including the adopting of product standards, like those for food, medicine, and dietary supplements.
States that have decriminalized or legalized cannabis should follow suit by sealing criminal records or expunging cases of prior “low-level” cannabis-related offenses, the report noted. And, the report added, the states should better enforce minimum-age requirements to prevent access to the drug to young people, just as the states “would for alcohol or tobacco sales.”
The report also called for states to require “training and certification” for workers at cannabis retailers. The training, the report said, “should address the effects of cannabis on humans, prevention of sales to minors” and “warnings about cannabis-impaired driving.”
The final incentive is tax revenue, which is considerable.
When purchasing cannabis in California, consumers should be aware that the effective tax rate can be substantial due to the combination of state, local, and excise taxes. Always check local regulations as they can change frequently. n California, the taxation of cannabis involves several layers, including state excise taxes, sales taxes, and local taxes. Here are the key components:
State Excise Tax
Rate: 15% of the retail price.
Applicable to: All sales of cannabis and cannabis products.
Sales Tax
Rate: Typically ranges from 7.25% to 10.25%, depending on the local jurisdiction.
Applicable to: All cannabis sales.
Local Taxes
Many local governments impose additional taxes on cannabis businesses, which can vary significantly. These can be based on:
Gross receipts: Often a percentage of total sales, ranging from 1% to 10%.
Square footage: A tax based on the size of the facility.
Additional Considerations
Cultivation Tax: There is also a cultivation tax on cannabis flowers, leaves, and immature plants, which varies based on the product type.
With the increased use of Cannabis and its new potency research is indicated.
Sources of Funding
Government Grants
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Provides grants for research on the health effects of cannabis.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Offers funding specifically for studies related to cannabis and its effects.
State-level initiatives: Some states allocate funds for cannabis research, particularly in contexts of medical use.
Private Foundations
Various non-profit organizations and foundations are dedicated to cannabis research, funding studies on its medical benefits, social impacts, and economic effects.
Universities and Academic Institutions
Many universities are establishing dedicated centers or programs for cannabis research, often funded through grants, donations, and partnerships with private sectors.
Pharmaceutical Companies
As the market for cannabis-derived products grows, pharmaceutical companies are investing in research to develop cannabis-based medications.
Crowdfunding
Some researchers turn to crowdfunding platforms to finance specific projects or studies related to cannabis.
Areas of Research
Funding supports a wide range of research areas, including:
Medical applications (pain management, epilepsy, mental health).
Social and economic impacts of legalization.
Agricultural practices related to cannabis cultivation.
Public health studies focusing on consumption patterns and effects.
Challenges
Despite the increasing funding, challenges remain:
Regulatory Barriers: Cannabis research is often hindered by federal regulations and the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance.
Stigma: Ongoing stigma can affect the willingness of some institutions and funders to support cannabis research.
Conclusion
The landscape of cannabis research funding is evolving, with more opportunities arising as societal views shift. Researchers interested in this field should stay informed about funding opportunities and regulatory changes.
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