Canada's THC unit: Applications for the legal cannabis market

Shea Wood, Robert Gabrys, Tom Freeman, David Hammond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has accelerated the need for a standardized approach to measuring and communicating the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis products. This article offers an overview of the considerations associated with establishing and implementing a standard THC unit in the Canadian context. The article begins by discussing the applications of a standard THC unit, emphasizing its potential use in product labelling, consumer education, and product reporting and surveillance. The article then examines key considerations for identifying what a Canadian THC unit should be set at, specifically within the context of a country with a regulated commercial cannabis market. This is followed by a discussion of additional considerations related to the adoption of a Canadian THC unit, including its use across various product formats and modes of administration. A significant focus of this article is on prioritizing public health and safety and informed decision-making among adult consumers as the legal cannabis market evolves. Collaboration among various stakeholders, such as government agencies, industry, and public health professionals, is highlighted as crucial for a successful transition to the use of Canada's THC unit.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104457
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy
Volume128
Early online date20 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2024

Funding

In 2021, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, together with the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, issued a notice directing all researchers funded by these institutes to adopt a 5 mg standard THC unit ( National Institutes of Health, 2021 ). Endorsement of the 5 mg standard THC unit by the National Institutes of Health and wider adoption of this by the international research community can increase consistency of research practices, facilitate meta-analyses, and strengthen the quality of evidence ( T.P. Freeman & Lorenzetti, 2021 ). This will ultimately help efforts to maximise the potential benefits and minimise the potential harms of THC exposure across a wide range of health outcomes ( Solmi et al., 2023 ). The current paper examines standard THC units from the perspective of implementing this within a country with a legal cannabis market (rather than in research settings alone), which concerns a broader set of considerations, as described below.

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
National Institute on Drug
Division of Intramural Research, Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA, USA.

    Keywords

    • Cannabis
    • Harm reduction
    • Public health
    • Safety
    • Standard unit
    • THC

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine (miscellaneous)
    • Health Policy

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