The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently hosted a two-day session where state and local marijuana regulators, industry stakeholders, advocates, and opponents of legalization discussed the evolving cannabis policies. This was the second meeting of the NASEM Committee for its series on “Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape.”

During the session, regulators from various states including California, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, and Oklahoma shared their experiences with marijuana markets. They discussed the successes and challenges they’ve faced in navigating the industry. For instance, California has developed a robust market but is still addressing the persistent illegal market, partly due to the state’s history of producing a significant amount of cannabis¹.

Missouri, which is relatively new to the regulated market, has seen its marijuana sales reach a $1 billion milestone and has a focus on public health embedded in its rules¹. Hawaii, on the other hand, has been more restrictive and slow to open its dispensary system under its medical marijuana program, which makes regulation easier with limited resources¹.

The meeting highlighted the complexities of regulating cannabis and the different approaches states are taking. It also underscored the importance of public health considerations in the development of cannabis policies. As legalization efforts continue to spread, these discussions are crucial for understanding the impact of policy changes and for guiding future regulations.

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• The meeting was part of NASEM’s series on “Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape” and marked the second meeting of the committee¹.
• State and local marijuana regulators, industry stakeholders, advocates, and opponents shared their perspectives on evolving cannabis policies¹.
• Nicole Elliott, Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), highlighted California’s developed market and the challenges of addressing the persistent illegal market. She noted that the state’s history of producing a significant amount of cannabis for the U.S. and the patchwork of local rules contribute to regulatory gaps¹.
• Amy Moore, director of cannabis regulation at Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), mentioned that Missouri’s marijuana sales recently reached a $1 billion milestone. She emphasized the explicit focus on public health in the state’s adult-use law¹.
• Michele Nakata, supervisor of the Hawaii Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation, discussed Hawaii’s slow and restrictive approach to opening its dispensary system under its medical marijuana program. She mentioned that this approach makes regulation easier with limited resources¹.
• The meeting also touched on the anticipation of Hawaii’s legislature considering an adult-use legalization proposal recently unveiled by the attorney general’s office¹.

The discussions at the NASEM meeting reflect the diverse experiences and approaches of different states in regulating marijuana markets. These insights are valuable for understanding the complexities of cannabis regulation and the importance of public health considerations in policy development. As the landscape of marijuana legalization continues to evolve, such meetings provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and best practices.

Learn more:

1. marijuanamoment.net2. apha.org3. marijuanamoment.net

Key takeaways from the meeting include:

• The legalization of marijuana has had a significant impact on the way that cannabis is used, produced, and regulated.
• There is a growing body of research on the effects of marijuana legalization, but more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of legalization.
• There is no consensus on the best way to regulate marijuana.
• The legalization of marijuana has raised a number of important social justice concerns.

Participants in the meeting discussed a variety of issues related to marijuana legalization, including:

• The impact of legalization on public health.
• The impact of legalization on public safety.
• The impact of legalization on social equity.
• The challenges of regulating a newly legal industry.
• The prospects for federal reform.

The meeting was part of a larger NASEM study on the effects of marijuana legalization. The study is expected to be released in 2024.

Additional resources:

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: https://www.nas.edu/
• Marijuana Policy Project: https://www.mpp.org/
• Drug Policy Alliance: https://drugpolicy.org/
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/