This is a comprehensive and well written document for anyone seeking information specific to cannabis and the state of California.

Read Time: 60 minutes +

Photo: California HIDTA

Researchers noted that this multi-phase project involved 2,000 “current” cannabis consumers, (THC in any form) from eight states, with legal cannabis (medical or commercial adult use). They responded to questionnaires on their cannabis use and driving behavior. Some of the findings were:

• 84% of cannabis consumers drive the same day after usage.
• Nearly 20% of respondents believed their driving was worse after use. 
• 46% believed that police could not detect impairment from cannabis.
• 53% consumed cannabis within an hour of prior to driving, 20% consumed 2 -3 hours prior. 

The final phase involved 800 current cannabis consumers, from the same states, and their opinion on effective messaging to deter cannabis use ahead of driving (increasing wait time from use to driving). 62% of those respondents liked the message of, “If you feel different, you drive different – Drive High. Get a DUI”

The Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS) is a division of the American Automobile Association (AAA) dedicated to improving public highway safety through continued education and messaging efforts. 

Read Time: 5 Minutes

Photo: unsplash.com/ Pierce, G. 

These are some of the findings released in a research letter, “Recreational Marijuana Legalization and Workplace Injuries Among Younger Workers” by authors (Ling, L. et.al.) published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study was attempting to determine if there’s an association in workplace injuries and legalized commercial adult use marijuana. The authors used historical data (2006 – 2020) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses”. 

The authors note that this is a small-scale study (N=632) of state reported injury cases and is limited by the amount of time (years) that has lapsed since legalization was adopted. However, it demonstrates the need for continued monitoring of legal marijuana impacts in the workplace.

Read Time: 10 minutes.

Photo: Unsplash.com / Croes, R.

Posted by permission from: Rise Up! Glendale AZ (February 2024)

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The study (Metz, T. et.al. / December 2023) uses data from the “Monitoring Mothers-to-Be” cohort, collected between 2010 – 2013, from 8 medical centers in the United States and involved 9,257 eligible expectant mothers. The subjects were divided into 3 separate groups associated to their exposure (use) of cannabis during pregnancy. No exposure (N=8,647), exposure 1^st trimester only (N=197) and ongoing exposure after 1^st trimester (N=413). The cohort with the highest association of adverse fetal outcomes, as noted above, was the “ongoing exposure” group. 

In previous studies, the reported use of cannabis was “self-reported” by the participants and as such is prone to under reporting. In this study urine specimens were collected during the pregnancy for the purposes of two independent lab analysis for metabolites of cannabis in the specimens. Lab results for positive test had a median metabolite value of 265 ng/ml. The lowest value reported was 16 ng/ml and the most concentrated metabolite value detected was 35,797 ng/ml. 

Read time: 10 minutes

Photo: unsplash.com/Bowen, C.

The researchers (Levey, D. et.al.) note that a person with a CUD has an increased “genetic liability” risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. A genetic liability that an individual consumer would have no way of knowing that they are at risk. This was concerning to the authors given the continued increases in cannabis use and expanded legalization. 

Read time: 20+ Minutes (Technical / Scientific) 

Photo: MTH