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Cannabis

commentary

Political Manifestos Should Do Better Than “Legalise It”
After years of political deadlock, a new era for drug policy in the Netherlands seems to be on the horizon. At least two factors are increasing politicians' appetite for change: increased awareness of the problems of drug-related organized crime in the Netherlands, and Dutch drug policy no longer being ahead of the curve.
Nov 21, 2023

commentary

Cannabis Legalization in Europe: Planning Ahead
Since 2012, multiple jurisdictions have changed their laws to legalize the production, possession, and use of cannabis for nonmedical purposes. While most of these changes took place in the Americas, there are signs that the European legal landscape might be changing, too.
Nov 9, 2022
commentary

What's Next After Biden's Announcement on Cannabis and Racial Equity?
Cannabis legalization isn't just a yes-or-no choice. There are many ways for state and federal policymakers to shape the market and tax it. With deliberations in Washington, D.C., beginning and more states set to vote on the issue in November, now is the time for lawmakers to take stock of how potential changes will or won't help communities of color.
Oct 11, 2022
commentary

Green Light for Cannabis Legalisation in Germany Is Not a Clear-Cut Decision
The new “traffic light” coalition in Germany recently agreed to regulate the sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops. International experience has shown that great care is needed in how cannabis policy is shaped.
Dec 6, 2021
essay

Army Enlistment Waivers in the Age of Legal Marijuana
Army recruits with a history of marijuana use can ask for a waiver like those who have diabetes or insomnia. They are just as likely as others to complete their first term and make sergeant, and are less likely to leave the Army for health or performance reasons.
Oct 27, 2021
commentary

Don't Entangle COVID-19 Relief with Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis legalization is a multifaceted decision that has implications for health, safety, and social equity. Whether legalization could fund COVID-19 relief should not be a major focus of debates.
Aug 28, 2020
commentary

Beyond Bans: How Cannabis Policy Reform Can Reduce Vaping-Related Illnesses
Policymakers can wield a multitude of tools to address vaping-related illness. Cannabis policy reform is one option. But policymakers may face challenges in balancing comprehensive regulatory design that promotes product safety with its potential to bolster the illegal and unregulated market.
Mar 27, 2020
commentary

Navigating Cannabis Legalization 2.0
As the next round of states debate marijuana legalization, they would do well to contemplate allowing state governments to control the wholesale prices and linking the price of cannabis to its potency.
Dec 4, 2018
q&a

How Marijuana Ads Affect Youth: Q&A with Elizabeth D'Amico
RAND's Elizabeth D'Amico discusses her research on how medical marijuana advertising influences adolescents' use of—and positive attitudes toward—the drug. Los Angeles County used her findings to limit the placement of marijuana billboards and signage outside dispensaries.
Aug 21, 2018
commentary

Why Children Need to Be Shielded from Marijuana Ads
By design, advertising is aimed at persuading us to want something. In the case of marijuana, that something is definitely not good for teenagers.
Jun 18, 2018
commentary

Advertising and Teens in the Era of the 'Blackout Brownie'
Exposure to marijuana advertising may play a significant role in shaping teen attitudes about the drug, and contribute to increased marijuana use and related negative consequences throughout adolescence. Restrictions on marijuana advertising similar to those on alcohol and tobacco would likely help limit its exposure to teens.
May 31, 2018
commentary

Strategies to Help Young Adults Limit Negative Consequences of Marijuana Use
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 have been shown to be the most prevalent and problematic users of marijuana. There are proven strategies that people can use to help protect themselves from experiencing harmful effects.
Feb 19, 2018
commentary

How Will Cannabis Legalization Affect Alcohol Consumption?
How will legalization of recreational marijuana affect alcohol consumption? Will drinking go down because people substitute cannabis for alcohol? Or will drinking go up because cannabis and alcohol complement each other? These questions have important implications.
Feb 13, 2018
commentary

The Future of Cannabis in the Netherlands
The Netherlands should proceed cautiously in implementing any marijuana regulations, taking into account the models devised elsewhere and remembering that once enacted the rules will be difficult to change.
Feb 1, 2017
commentary

Trump's Marijuana Options
The new administration has at least six options for addressing marijuana. These are not mutually exclusive, and each comes with tradeoffs. All six are compatible with a federal approach that encourages discussions about prohibition and its alternatives.
Jan 17, 2017
commentary

The Legal Marijuana Middle Ground
There are many ways to legalize marijuana supply besides the for-profit approach. But to learn what effects various models have, the federal government will have to make it easier for states to implement some middle-ground options.
Dec 1, 2016
essay

Election 2016: The Domestic Issues
RAND offers a unique take on the big domestic issues facing America: research that is independent, reliable, and rigorously nonpartisan.
Oct 3, 2016
commentary

What Your Kids Need to Know About Marijuana, Legalized or Not
If you are a parent, no matter how you feel about legalizing marijuana, you need to be prepared to talk about the drug with your kids.
Sep 21, 2016
q&a

Your Questions About Marijuana Legalization, Answered
At least five states will vote on legal recreational marijuana this November. Drug policy expert Beau Kilmer hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit to shed light on this and other issues.
Sep 13, 2016
commentary

Promises and Pitfalls of Cannabis Taxes
Setting the cannabis tax should not be considered a one-time event. Smart jurisdictions will revise their decisions over time to incorporate new data about taxes, testing, and the cannabis plant itself — without being influenced by those seeking to maximize profits.
Aug 22, 2016
blog

A Summer Reading List for Congress
To help Hill staffers make the most of the Congressional recess, RAND has developed a list of must-read research and commentaries that will help ensure policymakers will return ready to hit the ground running.
Aug 2, 2016
q&a

Researcher Q&A: Beau Kilmer on the State of Marijuana Legalization
Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and a co-author of the nonpartisan primer Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know addresses developments in marijuana policy and why reasonable people can disagree about legalization.
May 26, 2016
commentary

If California Legalizes Marijuana, Consumption Will Likely Increase. But Is That a Bad Thing?
Legalizing and allowing profit-maximizing firms to produce, sell, and advertise recreational marijuana would likely increase marijuana consumption. But how would this increased consumption influence the use of other substances?
May 16, 2016
commentary

Making Prevention a Priority
A bill legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes in Vermont has a strong possibility of passing. Lawmakers and communities should focus on putting in place drug prevention programs aimed at young people, considering that their marijuana use is higher in Vermont than the national average.
Mar 7, 2016
commentary

The 10 Ps of Marijuana Legalization
Marijuana policy is a growing topic of discussion, and laws are starting to change. Ten choices confronting jurisdictions considering legalization cover many of the critical decisions that will determine whether removing prohibition is a good idea.
Jun 22, 2015
commentary

Unprecedented Changes in Marijuana Policy
The marijuana policy landscape changed dramatically in 2014. Legal sales for nonmedical purposes began in Colorado and in Washington state. Voters in Washington, D.C., Alaska, and Oregon passed initiatives to liberalize their marijuana laws. Uruguay also started implementing its marijuana legalization law.
Apr 30, 2015
commentary

Taking a Sober Look at Legalizing Marijuana
California and a handful of other states will probably vote on legal pot in 2016. Here are five suggestions to help policymakers who want to promote productive discussions.
Jul 13, 2014
commentary

Are We Entering a New Era of Cannabis Regulation?
Although international drug treaties prohibit the production, distribution, and possession of cannabis for non-medical and non-scientific purposes, several jurisdictions have implemented new laws and policies, including some that remove criminal penalties for possession of small doses of cannabis.
May 22, 2014
commentary

Legalising Cannabis Is More Than Just a Yes or No Decision
Any truly honest discussion about how to regulate cannabis markets must start with clear objectives and goals. How these markets are opened can be as important as the decision to legalise cannabis.
May 2, 2014
commentary

U.S. Needs to Improve Community-Based Drug, Alcohol Prevention
As familiar as Americans are with the problems of youth drug and alcohol abuse, we are not identifying all the potential solutions. While observers criticize overemphasis in U.S. policy on enforcement and scant resources devoted to treatment, the focus on these approaches often ignores a key piece of the puzzle: prevention.
Jan 31, 2014
commentary

The Feds' Role After Legalization
Since Colorado and Washington allow profit-maximizing firms to grow and sell marijuana, there is concern they will use advertising to promote consumption by heavy users. With help from the federal government, the states will be better positioned to head off the negative consequences associated with commercialization.
Jan 15, 2014
commentary

Has U.S. Gone Further Than Netherlands Over Marijuana?
Colorado and Washington will remove the prohibition on commercial marijuana production and distribution for nonmedical purposes and start regulating and taxing it. Not even the Netherlands goes that far, writes Beau Kilmer.
Oct 18, 2013
commentary

Legalization in the U.S. and Crime in Mexico
Driving Mexican marijuana out of the U.S. would probably reduce the traffickers' export revenue by a few billion dollars a year, writes Beau Kilmer. But would reducing that revenue lead to a corresponding decrease in trafficker violence?
May 23, 2013
commentary

7 Key Questions on Marijuana Legalization
Policymakers in Washington and Colorado are confronting some new and tricky issues that have never been addressed. For them, and for anyone else thinking about changing their pot laws, there are seven key decision areas that will shape the costs and benefits of marijuana legalization.
Apr 26, 2013
blog

Ask Me Anything: Beau Kilmer Answers Drug Policy Questions on Reddit
Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and coauthor of Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know, hosted an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session on Reddit this week.
Apr 26, 2013
commentary

How Might the Federal Government React if States Legalize Marijuana?
This November, Washington state, Oregon, and Colorado voters will consider ballot measures to legalize the production, distribution, and possession of marijuana for nonmedical purposes. Even if voters pass these measures at the state level, marijuana will still be prohibited by the federal government, writes Beau Kilmer.
Sep 13, 2012
commentary

Important Facts About Marijuana Legalization
An excerpt from Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know, by Jonathan P. Caulkins, Angela Hawken, Beau Kilmer, Mark A. R. Kleiman, published by Oxford University Press (c) 2012 Oxford University Press.
Jul 13, 2012
commentary

The Marijuana Exception
Being honest about the uncertainties involved is the price of admission to any serious discussion about marijuana legalization, writes Beau Kilmer.
Apr 23, 2012