A concept mapping study in Washington State found community members and professionals supported taxation and age restrictions on high-THC products, while cannabis industry advocates opposed taxation and favored lower-impact measures like education.
People interested in cannabis policy, particularly regulation of high-potency products.
Cannabis concentrates range from 50-90% THC
What the researchers found
Community and professional stakeholders supported environmental policy changes like THC-based taxation, raising the minimum age for high-concentration products, and advertising restrictions. Cannabis industry stakeholders rejected THC-content taxation, proposed lowering taxes instead, and favored low-population-impact measures like educating parents and youth.
Why it matters
This study provides a structured overview of what different stakeholders actually want regarding high-THC regulation. The clear divide between industry and non-industry perspectives helps policymakers understand the political landscape.
The numbers in context
Three stakeholder groups: community, professionals, cannabis advocates. Multiple policy ideas generated through concept mapping. Study was legislatively mandated by Washington State.
How the study worked
Concept mapping, a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative brainstorming with quantitative analysis, was used to explore stakeholder perspectives. Participants were categorized into community members, professionals, and cannabis advocates. The study was requested by the Washington State Legislature.
What this study cannot tell us
Washington State-specific findings may not generalize to other jurisdictions. Self-selected stakeholders may not represent broader populations. Concept mapping captures perspectives but does not evaluate policy effectiveness.
How to read the evidence
Mixed-methods stakeholder analysis. This is policy research documenting perspectives rather than testing health outcomes, so traditional evidence grading does not apply.
When this study was published
Published in 2024 based on a study mandated by the Washington State Legislature.
The bigger picture
High-potency cannabis concentrates (50-90% THC) are an increasingly common product category that some researchers link to elevated health risks. Understanding which regulatory approaches have broad stakeholder support is essential for crafting politically viable policies.
Questions still open
- Would THC-based taxation actually reduce consumption of high-potency products? What is the optimal minimum age for purchasing concentrates? How do industry actors from other states compare to those in Washington?
Common questions
What policies do most stakeholders support for high-THC products?
Why regulate high-potency cannabis specifically?
Read the original research
Identifying policy options to regulate high potency cannabis: A multiple stakeholder concept mapping study in Washington State, USA.
The International journal on drug policy, 123, 104270
Citation
Carlini, Beatriz H; Garrett, Sharon B; Matos, Patrick; Nims, Lexi N; Kestens, Yan. (2024). Identifying policy options to regulate high potency cannabis: A multiple stakeholder concept mapping study in Washington State, USA.. The International journal on drug policy, 123, 104270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104270