Student presentation explores “three controversial substances: trans fat, opioids, and marijuana”

I start my Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform seminar by encouraging students to consider whether and how marijuana is similar to other products and activities.  I am thus excited that another presentations taking place in my class this week will be exploring how marijuana compares to some other “constroversial substances.”  Here is how my student has described her topic along with some links he provided:

Marijuana has been undergoing a revolution over the last two decades. In 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana.  By 2024, 22 other states have followed suit.  On the federal level, in August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Resources recommended rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.  Since then, President Joe Biden has been under mounting pressure to follow through on his campaign pledge to decriminalize marijuana.  In wake of this movement, many advocates and opponents for marijuana reformation have looked at other consumer industries to see how the growing marijuana market may impact society.

The most notable, comparable industries looked at have been Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol, considering the prevalence, similarities, and health concerns of these substances to marijuana.  But in looking beyond these comparisons, there are two other industries have caused ongoing public health crises in American society that the marijuana market should learn from.  The obesity epidemic and opioid epidemic, spurred by trans fat and prescription/illicit opioid use respectively, have cost Americans hundreds of thousands of dollars and lives.  My paper will explore the similarities and differences of the histories, uses, and legal landscapes of these three controversial substances: trans fat, opioids, and marijuana. By examining how trans fat and opioids catalyzed their own respective epidemics, the marijuana industry can integrate proactive measures to safely regulate their products and mitigate the potential harm that comes from marijuana use.

Background Readings:

For a brief overview of the history and regulation of trans fat: “Shining the Spotlight on Trans Fats“

For a brief overview of the history and consequences of the opioid epidemic in the United States: “The Opioid Epidemic in the United States“

Reviewing the legal anatomy of product bans, specifically studying trans fat and marijuana:  “The Legal Anatomy of Product Bans to Protect the Public’s Health“

Compiling and reviewing the impact of legalized marijuana to opioid overdose mortality: “State marijuana laws and opioid overdose mortality“