Cannabis and psilocybin – used under supervision – have the potential to work better than current pain treatments, but the research into both has long been hindered by federal legislation.
Policymakers will have to think carefully about pricing, taxation and providing discounts for buying in bulk. Else legalisation may not deliver a substantial tax windfall after all.
THC concentrations in newly available products far exceed those of traditional smoked weed, which can have dangerous unintended consequences in adolescents.
There were concerns about changes that cannabis legalization might bring. But some trends that were already underway beforehand mostly carried on afterward.
Cannabis growers in the capital report many obstacles, from laws banning the purchase of seeds and artificial lights to the lack of information on growing conditions.
Beth Cohen, University of California, San Francisco
Clinical trials have demonstrated the health benefits of cannabis for certain conditions, but many aren’t testing smoked or vaped forms. Research on cannabis smoke is raising concerns.
Potential long-term, serious consequences of cannabis use include severe cyclical vomiting and a form of cardiomyopathy sometimes called ‘broken heart syndrome.’
Researchers are working to determine how and which cannabis products can help those suffering from chronic pain or serious illness. But science is having a hard time keeping up with the booming market.
Malaysia and Indonesia have been considering whether to follow Thailand in legalizing the use of cannabis, particularly for medical purposes. But another country could serve as a better example.
Health repercussions — including large increases in child cannabis poisonings — must outweigh industry calls to roll back cannabis regulations in the federal review of the impact of legalization.
In the mid-1800s, France was at the epicenter of the international movement to medicalize hashish, a potent form of cannabis. Now the country’s medical marijuana research is making a comeback.