COMMERCIAL TOBACCO & CANNABIS

Decriminalization of marijuana is an important step towards health equity and repairing the damage to communities and individuals caused by punitive and discriminatory drug laws. Many states have legalized or are considering legalizing the use and sale of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, but despite general public support, legalization and regulation of marijuana presents many public health, safety, and social justice challenges. Although marijuana and commercial tobacco differ, many of the strategies used to regulate them are similar, as are the regulatory obstacles these strategies present. Public health advocates and tobacco control professionals must be able to address the policy impacts of recreational marijuana use on hard-won tobacco control laws and other measures to protect public health.