Vermont public health association

Adopted 1/13/2022

Description: Youth cannabis use presents a significant health risk. Youth cannabis rates have been on the rise in Vermont and nationally.¹

Policy Statement: The Vermont Public Health Association (VtPHA) supports significant and ongoing funding to uphold a comprehensive, evidence-supported system of cannabis use education, prevention, screening, intervention, treatment and recovery.  There should be a focus on decreasing risk factors for cannabis use and increasing factors protective against youth cannabis use, cannabis misuse and associated mental and physical illnesses.

Supported Actions: VtPHA supports the actions and recommendations outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)². These actions include:

• Creating Rules which are at least as strong as those used for tobacco products, regarding the advertising, access and second-hand effects of cannabis smoke on youth.
• Creating Rules that establish enforcement procedures that are equivalent to alcohol and tobacco sales regulations.
• Empowering communities through evidence-based information.
• Facilitating evidence-based decision-making and rulemaking by requiring public health professionals, physicians and other qualified professionals to serve on the Cannabis Control Board
• Allocating a portion of the cannabis excise tax to fund Department of Health data collection to measure the impact, cost and effects of cannabis use.
• Establishing THC content limits on medical and recreational cannabis products according to best medical practices and to promote safety.

Potential Barriers:

• A low perception of harm related to cannabis use and its mental and physical health effects.
• Limited public messaging regarding cannabis use disorder.
• Stigma and lack of support for families and individuals dealing with CUD.
• Lack of mental health workers.
• Lack of public awareness of the dangers associated with prenatal THC exposure.

Cited References:

1. Marijuana Use in Vermont, data Brief, August 21 accessed at: https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ADAP_Data_Brief_Marijuana.pdf 
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP21-06-01-001. Rockville, MD: National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021.

General References:  

1.  https://gettingitrightfromthestart.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Principles-for-Protecting- Youth-Public-Health-and-Equity-in-Cannabis-Regulation_2021.pdf
2. VERMONT Proposed New 7 V.S.A. § 957 ADVERTISING AND PACKAGING OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS
3. Massachusetts House Bill No 152 (THC content/ sweeteners/vaping/health warnings)
4. (written in collaboration with Dr. Sharon Levy, Director of the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program at Boston Children's Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Chairperson of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Substance Abuse 2014-2015, the last AAP policy statement on Marijuana.)