Overview
#CannabisClaims is a campaign by scientists and academics to clarify misconceptions related to thirteen of the most oft-repeated claims on cannabis use and regulation, none of which are strongly supported by the scientific evidence.
As more and more jurisdictions reconsider their cannabis policies, the public discourse is filled with conflicting evidence about the impacts of cannabis use and regulation. Cannabis causes schizophrenia. Cannabis is as addictive as heroin. Cannabis regulation leads to increased traffic fatalities. We hear claims like these all the time – but are they based on science? Given that policy decisions are influenced by public opinion and media reports, an inaccurate understanding of the evidence can lead to ineffective or harmful policy.
To investigate this issue, the CDPE convened scientists to conduct a review of the evidence for and against thirteen of the most oft-repeated claims on cannabis use and regulation. In August 2015, the CDPE released two complementary reports, available in English and Spanish, providing comprehensive evaluations of the evidence for and against each claim. The reports are a resource for journalists, policymakers, and members of the general public who would like to engage with the complex issues surrounding global cannabis use and regulation.
The CDPE continued the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #CannabisClaims, and created graphics (see below, also available in Spanish), blog posts, and a video to feature individual claims.
“Given that policy decisions are influenced by public opinion and media reports, an inaccurate understanding of the evidence can lead to ineffective or harmful policy.
Financial Supporters
Open Society Foundations
Project Contact
Nazlee Maghsoudi
nazlee@cdpe.org
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