Cannabis Legalization and Regulation
Marijuana, which is still considered an illicit drug at the federal level, is legal in 21 states and D.C. for adults over the age of 21 for recreational use, and legal for medical use in 37 states and D.C. The trend of state legalization continues to grow with Maryland and Missouri legalizing adult-use in 2022 through ballot measures. As more states contemplate marijuana legalization, understanding the broad spectrum of public health and policy issues related to cannabis regulation is critical.
Resources
Potential Changes in Federal Cannabis Policy and the Anticipated Public Health Impacts
State Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Advertising
Cannabis Advertising and the First Amendment
Cannabis Legalization: Critical Policy Issues Impacting the Health of Children
State Policies to Protect Access to Medical Cannabis Following Adult-Use Legalization
Critical Public Health Issues in Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis Regulation Resource Collection
Adult-Use Cannabis Social Equity Toolkit
Legal Protections to Prevent Discrimination against Medical Cannabis Patients
State Laws Addressing Discrimination against Medical Cannabis Patients
Regulation of Cannabis-Infused Edibles
Medical Marijuana Programs
Spotlight
Regulated Cannabis Has a Hemp Problem
The Department of Health and Human Services Recommends Rescheduling Cannabis
The Network’s Fall Summit: Helping the Public Health Community Navigate the Rapidly Changing Field of Cannabis Law
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Marijuana Legalization
Marijuana, which is still considered an illicit drug at the federal level, is legal in 11 states for adults over the age of 21 for recreational use, and legal for medical use in 33 states as of January 2020. A broad spectrum of policy variables must be considered in the legalization of recreational marijuana, including advertising restrictions, personal cultivation regulations, social consumption sites, delivery services, local authority to limit or prohibit recreational marijuana enterprises within their communities, and social equity measures. For medical marijuana, policy questions include how to regulate its recommendation and dispensing, as well as how to register patients approved for medical marijuana use.
Cannabis Quarterly
As more states contemplate cannabis legalization, understanding the broad spectrum of public health and policy issues, including advertising restrictions, personal cultivation regulations, social consumption sites, delivery services, local authority to limit or prohibit recreational marijuana enterprises, and social equity measures, is critical. To assist those working in the everchanging environment of cannabis legalization, the Network is launching a newsletter with quarterly updates on statutory and regulatory changes at the federal and state level, key issues, emerging research and articles related to cannabis use and distribution.