Kristen Giombi RTI International. Mary Segawa Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board. Jay Butler Alaska Department of Health & Social Services

Transcription

1 October 23,

2 Kristen Giombi RTI International Mary Segawa Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board Jay Butler Alaska Department of Health & Social Services 2

3 Consumer Research to Inform Marijuana Policy Presented by: Kristen Giombi RTI International Do not distribute without permission 3 RTI International is a registered trademark and a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.

4 Reasons Focus Group Participants Like Edibles NO SMELL LONGER HIGH MORE DISCREET LESS INTENSE HIGH TASTE MORE CONVENIENT AID RELAXATION REDUCE ANXIETY NO SECOND HAND SMOKE 4

5 Reasons Focus Group Participants Dislike Edibles 5

6 Recommendations to Improve Labels for Edibles Include universal symbol to prevent unintentional ingestion Provide consumption advice and highlight on label Until you know the effects of this product eat only half of a segment, and wait a minimum of 75 minutes before consuming another portion. Simplify labels: use large font and limit amount of information Provide web site address consumers can access for more information Provide information/education in variety of formats to inform consumers about possible risks and how to safely consume edibles Colorado Oregon 6

7 Poll Question #1 7

8 Mary Segawa Public Health Education Liaison, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board 8

9 Legal Cannabis in Washington State Mary Segawa, M.S. Public Health Education Liaison WA State Liquor and Cannabis Board 9

10 Background Washington State Medical use of marijuana approved for qualifying conditions (I-692)* Initiative 502 Retail sales and possession, limited quantities, ages 21 and over SB 5052 Integrated medical marijuana market; effective July SB Regulated medical, partially vetoed Retail stores opened July 2014 *Did not legalize medical use; provided affirmative defense for qualifying patients with valid recommendation and their designated providers. 10

11 Key Elements of Regulatory System Legalized system of producing, processing, and retailing marijuana Possession limits 21 and over 1 ounce useable 16 ounces solid form 72 ounces liquid form 7 grams concentrates Taxation Excise tax of 37 percent on retail Public safety and education 11

12 Product Limitations Shelf stable no refrigeration or heat required Cannot be especially appealing to children Cannot require cooking or baking No high risk products (e.g. fruit or vegetable butters, pies that contain egg, etc.) WAC

13 Current WA Packaging Requirements Limited servings and concentration per package Maximum 10 mg per serving, 10 servings per package Each serving individually wrapped Child resistant packaging Liquids with more than 1 serving must have measuring device 13

14 Current WA Labeling Requirements Number of servings in the package and amount of product per serving Not for Kids symbol This product contains marijuana. All products: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. This product may be unlawful outside Washington state. Edibles: Caution: When eaten or swallowed, the intoxicating effects of this drug may be delayed by two or more hours. 14

15 Accompanying Materials Must be included when sold at retail. Must include the following statements: There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. 15

16 Additional Requirements Solid edibles must be homogenized All cannabis-infused products to be approved in advance by a staff panel All lots tested by independent, accredited labs Recipes are approved by the Dept. of Agriculture Processing facility must pass an inspection by the Dept. of Agriculture All items are tracked through the LCB s traceability system 16

17 Challenges / Gaps Wide range of products Defining especially appealing to children Age variation Product and label Defining language that is curative or therapeutic Candy, Natural, Additive-free Alcohol-related terms 17

18 Challenges / Gaps (continued) Limited label real estate Warnings Symbols Ingredients Where to place health-related information? Label Accompanying material In-store signage QR code Education campaign Cost and effectiveness of child-resistant packaging Packaging considerations: Inner package or outer? Thickness of plastic Resealable Consumer response Environmental considerations 18

19 Tips for Regulating Learn from other states Understand the market and the process Involve variety of stakeholders (industry, public health, prevention, poison center, consumers, etc.) Err on the side of tight regulations Keep first-time user in mind Field test warning statements Consider capacity for approval and monitoring Consider limiting types of products Expect creativity Expect pushback 19

20 Thank you! Mary Segawa, M.S

21 Poll Question #2 21

22 Jay Butler Chief Medical Officer and Director Division of Public Health, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services 22

23 Cannabis in The Great Land Jay C. Butler, MD Chief Medical Officer, Dept of Health and Social Services, and Director, Division of Public Health 23

24 Unique Policy Elements in Alaska: History Ravin Doctrine (Ravin v Alaska, 1975) made marijuana quasi-legal >40 years ago Alaska Supreme Court: right to privacy protected by the Alaska Constitution includes an adult s right to possess and use small amounts of marijuana in the home Decriminalization flip-flop Decriminalized by Legislature in 1982, up to 4 ounces Recriminalized by ballot measure in 1990 Medical marijuana approved by ballot measure in 1998 Court of Appeals overturned ballot measure in 2000s 24

25 Unique Policy Elements in Alaska: History Ballot Measure 2, November 2014: "An Act to Tax and Regulate The Production, Sale, and Use of Marijuana passed by 53% Alaskans age 21 and older may possess up to an ounce and six plants Established Marijuana Control Board in Dept of Commerce Defined tax at cultivation facility: $50/once; lower tax allowed for certain parts of plant Public consumption banned; fine up to $100 25

26 Unique Policy Elements in Alaska: Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure 8, Nov. 1998, legalized medical marijuana in Alaska for a number of specific debilitating conditions Restrictions: Public use prohibited; possession limits Statute does not address source of marijuana 26

27 Unique Policy Elements in Alaska: Local Governance 27

28 What Has Gone Well Intradepartmental coordination (for the most part) Interdepartmental coordination (for the most part) DHSS coordination with some representatives of industry and some community partners Regulations: Defining serving size and packaging Timeline from Ballot Measure 2 (Nov 2014): 90 days to legalization 18 months to develop regulations and issue licenses 28

29 Herbal Outfitters Opens, Oct. 29, 2016 Valdez, Alaska 29

30 What Has Gone Well No more than 10 servings per package No cartoon characters No packaging attractive to children 30

31 What We Might Do Differently Timeline from Ballot Measure 2 Readiness and clear policy Coordination with all stakeholders Regulations: Attempts to limit concentration ultimately resulted in no limits Representative input Board make-up and support Tax revenue for public health response 50% currently committed to prison recidivism prevention 31

32 Ongoing Discussions Labeling requirement Currently: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There may be health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding. 32

33 Ongoing Discussions 33

34 Ongoing Discussions 34

35 Public Messaging: Goals Share health and legal information with Alaskans. Start conversations. Stay balanced in tone, factual in content. Share new information regularly. Employ humor when appropriate. Make DHSS a trusted place to go for reliable information in Alaska. Use social medial and website as a source of reliable information, marijuana.dhss.alaska.gov. Supplement with traditional PSAs and printed materials. 35

36 2015 Core Messages Cannot yet be bought or sold Legal age is 21 and older Not legal in public places Keep away from children Driving high is a DUI What s grown in Alaska, stays in Alaska 36

37 2016 Core Messages Affects people differently Delayed effects of edibles Increasing THC content Advise against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding Keep out of reach of children 37

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41 Poll Question #3 41

42 Questions? 42

43 For More Information Jane A. Allen

44 Join us for Part 2 of the Marijuana Webinar Series: The Impact of Legalization on Youth Tuesday, January 23, :30 3:30 pm ET Julia Dilley Senior Research Scientist/Epidemiologist Oregon Health Authority Daniel Vigil Program Manager, Marijuana Health Monitoring and Research Program Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 44

45 Evaluation 45