Cannabis Harm Reduction Strategies Failing in the US
Study Shows Cannabis Harm Reduction Not a Priority for Public Health or the Public – LPC
A study from the University of Buffalo shows the cannabis harm reduction strategies are failing in the US. As a result, the researchers are calling on public health officials to do a better job of educating the public about the risks of cannabis.
“Our findings should serve as a wake-up call to public health professionals to integrate harm reduction strategies into practice,” said lead author Jessica Kruger. “It’s important that public health equip people with proper knowledge about using cannabis.”
The study listed a number of strategies and participants were asked to identify those relevant to cannabis use. Less than half believed any of the strategies were related to cannabis harm reduction. Only 42 per cent felt avoiding use during pregnancy was necessary, while 36 per cent believed driving within six hours of using cannabis was okay.
“This is really remarkable, given that both of these are common warnings for a variety of psychoactive and pharmaceutical substances,” said co-author Daniel Kruger.
Part of the problem in the US is that cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Many scientists identify this as a public health risk in itself because it restricts research.
The study was limited to only 500 people at a specific event at the University of Michigan, so the results are limited. However it could be, as the authors say, a wake-up call. One of the main purposes of the licensed producer system in Canada is to promote safe cannabis use for adults. Certainly, ensuring that the public understands cannabis harm reduction strategies should be a part of that.
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