Cannabis Conundrums: A Public Health Framework for Legal Markets

APHA approved a revised Cannabis Policy Statement in October of 2020. Titled A Public Health Approach for Regulating Commercially Legalized Cannabis, it outlines action steps in four key areas: (1) protecting children, youth, and other vulnerable populations; (2) minimizing harm to the public; (3) prioritizing equity, social justice and ameliorating harms caused to populations disproportionately impacted by prior drug policy approaches; and (4) monitoring patterns of cannabis use and related public health and safety outcomes. The ATOD Section has developed a brief 2-page summary of key recommendations for public health advocates.