Exploring Policy Solutions to Address Public Health Challenges of High THC Products
To address this emerging public safety challenge of increasingly available high-THC products (e.g. dabs, wax, concentrates), the WA State Health Care Authority was directed by ESSB 5092 (2021) to contract with the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) to identify areas of common ground and consensus, and develop recommendations for state policies related to cannabis concentration and mitigating detrimental health impacts.
The final report to the legislature, published in December 2022, describes recommendations for state policies based on the perspectives of WA stakeholders, research evidence on public policies designed to mitigate harms associated with non-medical use of high THC cannabis products and other legally commercialized health-compromising products, and cannabis policies that have been considered or adopted in North America.
Investigators
Beatriz Carlini, PhD, MPH PI
Sharon Garrett, MA, MPH
Caislin Firth, PhD
Lexi Nims
Fund Information
WA State Legislature via Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5092; Section 215(55); Chapter 334; Laws of 2021 ESSB 5092 (2021)
Start: July 2021
End: December 2022
Status: completed
Project Results
More details about methodology can be found here:
Carlini, BH, Garrett SB, Matos, P, Nims, LN, Kestens, Y. Identifying policy options to regulate high potency cannabis: A multiple stakeholder concept mapping study in Washington State, USA. International Journal of Drug Policy, 2024; 123. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104270
The final report and policy recommendations can be found here:
Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) & University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI). Washington State HCA report to the legislature. High THC policy | Final report: Exploring policy solutions to address public health challenges of high THC products. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5092; Section 215(55); Chapter 334; Laws of 2021. Olympia, WA; Washington State Health Care Authority, December 2022.
