For Immediate Release: September 5, 2024

AMID RECENT CANNABIS RECALLS, AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS RELEASES CRITICAL REPORT:

 “What’s in Your Cannabis? A Patient & Consumer Guide to Navigating Cannabis Safety”

Washington, D.C.– Following a concerning series of cannabis recalls due to contamination, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) announced the release of a crucial new resource today: “What’s in Your Cannabis? A Patient & Consumer Guide to Navigating Cannabis Safety.” This comprehensive guide aims to empower patients and consumers with the knowledge needed to safeguard their health in the complex cannabis marketplace.

“Patients and consumers deserve access to safe, reliable cannabis products, but the reality is that not all products undergo rigorous safety testing. While recalls are a sign of a healthy regulatory system, they are a good reminder of cannabis safety issues, even in regulated markets,” said Steph Sherer, President of Americans for Safe Access. “This guide is indispensable for anyone using or considering cannabis for therapeutic purposes, offering detailed, practical advice to enhance safety and informed decision-making.”

Cannabis products are now available across the U.S. in many forms from a variety of markets. Cannabis is generally considered a safe therapeutic option with low toxicity, but many patients and consumers do not understand that assessment is based on whole-plant products that are free from contaminants and adulterants. However, many ingredients found in cannabis products, such as additives used for flavoring and consistency, synthesized compounds, and highly concentrated cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) and terpenes, might be safe, but scientific proof, especially for long-term use, is lacking. They also may not understand that cannabis is prone to contamination not only during cultivation and manufacturing but also during post-production and storage.

“Many physicians are hesitant to recommend cannabis, even when they believe it could offer relief to their patients, due to concerns about the safety of the cannabis products available,” said Dr. Leigh Vinocur, MD, board-certified emergency physician and recognized television medical expert. “I am excited to have ASA’s ‘What’s in Your Cannabis? Guide as a resource for discussing safety concerns with my patients, including recognizing signs of contamination. It will be an invaluable resource to empower patients to make informed decisions and will serve as a vital tool for my colleagues.”

The guide emphasizes the importance of understanding that not all cannabis products are created equal and the crucial need for awareness of contaminants commonly found in cannabis and the symptoms they may cause. ASA’s guide also highlights the need for consumers to critically evaluate product labels, as potency information and ingredient consistency can vary widely, even within products sold by licensed retailers.

KEY FEATURES IN WHAT’S IN YOUR CANNABIS GUIDE:

• Information to navigate legal & health considerations, including drug interaction details, circumstances to avoid cannabis medicines, and other tools to determine if cannabis is right for an individual.
• Guidance on how cannabis works with the body and how to choose cannabis products, including dosage guidelines.
• Information about contaminants in cannabis, their health impacts, product safety regulations by market, & how to read cannabis labels.
• Tools and resources for patients and consumers to protect and advocate for themselves, including safety checklists for each market, advice on distinguishing common cannabis side effects from more serious effects of contaminants, and ways to use their power as consumers to demand more from the current marketplaces.

EXCERPTS FROM GUIDE:  

“Cannabis is generally regarded as a safe product with low toxicity, but this assessment is based on whole-plant products that are free from contaminants and adulterants. However, many ingredients found in cannabis products, such as additives used for flavoring and consistency, synthesized compounds, and highly concentrated cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) and terpenes, might be safe, but scientific proof, especially for long-term use, is lacking. Also, cannabis is especially prone to contamination during cultivation, manufacturing, handling, and storage.”

“Unfortunately, it is not always clear how or if cannabis products are regulated or where to find credible sources about their legal status, safety, and efficacy: this is especially concerning if you are one of the millions of Americans who rely on cannabis as an invaluable medicine. Navigating cannabis safety involves recognizing when cannabis is not a suitable treatment option (or intoxicant), the risks associated with products in various markets, the potential impacts of label inaccuracies, and distinguishing common cannabis side effects from symptoms of contamination.” 

“Cannabis can have a profound impact on a patient’s life & treatment outcomes. Discovering the optimal cannabis treatment often requires experimentation with cannabinoid-terpene formulations as well as a variety of delivery methods. In an ideal world, this journey would include guidance from research, support from medical professionals & properly labeled, evaluated, & tested products.”

“While cannabis regulations may seem overwhelming, you have the power to shape the future of product safety in these emerging markets. Without patients demanding more from policymakers and the marketplace, there is little incentive for policies to change or for cannabis companies to strive for excellence.”

This initiative is part of ASA’s broader advocacy for safer, more effective cannabis policies. As part of this mission, ASA is leading the Compassionate Candidate Campaign, which encourages political candidates to pledge their support for evidence-based, patient-centered cannabis policies. This campaign is crucial in the current political climate, where cannabis policy decisions are at a critical juncture.

In addition, ASA is hosting The Validated Voices Summit in Washington, DC, on September 26 & 27, 2024. This summit, the first of its kind since the HHS and DOJ confirmed that cannabis has accepted medical value, will bring together patients, advocates, and policymakers to discuss the future of medical cannabis. The event will include meetings with congressional representatives, advocacy skill-building workshops, and press events to ensure patient voices are heard and prioritized in the ongoing policy debates.

Americans for Safe Access advocates for a national medical cannabis program overseen by the Office of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Control (OMC), housed in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This office would establish a centralized regulatory body providing guidance, resources, and oversight to ensure consistent and effective regulations across the country.

Download the full report HERE

For more information about “What’s in Your Cannabis? A Patient & Consumer Guide to Navigating Cannabis Safety” or to schedule an interview with a representative from ASA, please contact [email protected]

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About Americans for Safe Access
Americans for Safe Access is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. Since its founding in 2022, ASA has been dedicated to ensuring that medical cannabis is a safe, accessible, and legal option for patients who need it.