Researchers propose 28 indicators to track whether cannabis legalization helps or hurts public health in Canada
A comprehensive framework of 28 public health indicators across five themes was developed to evaluate Canada's cannabis regulation, with early data from other jurisdictions showing mixed results but some potential benefits.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Twenty-eight indicators were identified under five themes: public safety, cannabis use trends, other substance use trends, cardiovascular/respiratory health, and mental health/cognition. Early data from US jurisdictions showed little consensus on harms but emerging evidence for benefits like reduced opioid use.
Key Numbers
28 indicators identified across 5 broad themes. Preliminary data from legalized US jurisdictions referenced for each indicator where available.
How They Did This
Systematic search of five scientific databases to compile cannabis-related public health and safety indicators, supplemented with preliminary evidence from US states and Canadian provinces that had already legalized.
Why This Research Matters
Canada's legalization is a natural experiment. Without agreed-upon metrics to track outcomes, it would be impossible to know whether the policy is working or where adjustments are needed.
The Bigger Picture
Most public discourse about cannabis legalization focuses on potential harms. This framework explicitly includes indicators for potential benefits, pushing back against one-sided evaluation of drug policy.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Framework is proposed rather than validated. Preliminary evidence from other jurisdictions may not translate to Canada. Many indicators lack reliable baseline data.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which of the 28 indicators show the most meaningful changes after legalization?
- ?Are the proposed metrics sensitive enough to detect real-world policy effects?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 28 indicators across 5 themes
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: systematic development of evaluation framework with preliminary supporting evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Guidelines for public health and safety metrics to evaluate the potential harms and benefits of cannabis regulation in Canada.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol review, 38(6), 606-621 (2019)
- Authors:
- Lake, Stephanie(16), Kerr, Thomas(11), Werb, Dan, Haines-Saah, Rebecca, Fischer, Benedikt, Thomas, Gerald, Walsh, Zach, Ware, Mark A, Wood, Evan, Milloy, M-J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02122
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five themes used to evaluate legalization?
Public safety, cannabis use trends, other substance use trends, cardiovascular and respiratory health, and mental health and cognition.
Does early evidence show legalization is harmful?
Early data from US jurisdictions showed little consensus on harms, with some evidence pointing to potential benefits like reduced opioid use and overdose.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02122APA
Lake, Stephanie; Kerr, Thomas; Werb, Dan; Haines-Saah, Rebecca; Fischer, Benedikt; Thomas, Gerald; Walsh, Zach; Ware, Mark A; Wood, Evan; Milloy, M-J. (2019). Guidelines for public health and safety metrics to evaluate the potential harms and benefits of cannabis regulation in Canada.. Drug and alcohol review, 38(6), 606-621. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12971
MLA
Lake, Stephanie, et al. "Guidelines for public health and safety metrics to evaluate the potential harms and benefits of cannabis regulation in Canada.." Drug and alcohol review, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12971
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Guidelines for public health and safety metrics to evaluate ..." RTHC-02122. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lake-2019-guidelines-for-public-health
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.