Colorado allocates $2.35 million for cannabis research

The Colorado Department of Health is taking steps to better understand cannabis; $2.35 million will be invested over three years.

Colorado serves as a global test case for the cannabis legalization. Now that we have seen the very real impact of tax revenue, it is time to examine the side effects and potential abuses of legalization.

The widespread availability of the substance raises a number of questions that cannot always be answered in the short term. On Monday, November 13, the Colorado Department of Health awarded $2.35 million for research into the cannabis.

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana and Dabbing in the Crosshairs

Driving under the influence of cannabis is a topic of debate around the world. A lot has been written about it, statistics are being released, and somber public service announcements are appearing on our screens. But what’s the real story?

To shed light on this mystery, the Department of Health has commissioned two scientists: Michael Kosnett, a professor of toxicology, and Ashley Brooks-Russell, a public health specialist. The two experts and their teams will be tasked with determining the level of danger posed by regular cannabis users on the road, both with and without THC intake. Above all, they will need to compare these results with the level of risk posed by occasional users while under the influence of the substance. The study will be conducted over three years with a budget of 800,000$.

Another sensitive and little-known topic, dabbing, will be the subject of an in-depth study. Professor Cinnamon Bidwell’s team will be tasked with studying the potency of these THC concentrates and, above all, their harmful effects on cognitive function. If the results prove disastrous, «dabs» could face the same fate as THC candies. Researchers will have 8,000,001 TP4T at their disposal over three years.

Other Interesting Areas of Study for the Future

The remaining $2.35 million will be allocated to other studies. In two years, we hope to know: How long does cannabis remain in breast milk? Does cannabis increase cardiovascular risks? How should we interpret the growing use of cannabis among older adults?

Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director of the Colorado Department of Health, welcomes this future research: »The research findings will be used to inform the public. People will be able to make decisions about their cannabis use.»