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 language | English |
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Article number | 104457 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International Journal of Drug Policy |
Volume | 128 |
Early online date | 20 May 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 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.
Funders | Funder number |
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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