Explainers Harm Reduction

How Medicinal Cannabis Programs are Changing: A Policy Perspective

Author

Chelsea Boyd
Resident Research Fellow, Harm Reduction

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As policymakers consider implementing or modifying state medicinal cannabis programs, they should consider existing evidence, what additional research is necessary, the benefits of medical programs to patients and the impact of policy changes on patients.

Introduction

As of February 2023, 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal cannabis use. The specifics of each state’s medical cannabis program vary, and many states continue to modify their medicinal cannabis programs. These policy changes can have significant impacts on patients who use cannabis to control medical symptoms. As policymakers consider implementing or modifying state medicinal cannabis programs, they should consider existing evidence, what additional research is necessary, the benefits of medical programs to patients and the impact of policy changes on patients.

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