According to a NORML analysis, researchers have published over 32,000 scientific articles on marijuana in the last 10 years. This includes over 4,000 papers in 2023. This again puts to question the critics’ claim that cannabis has not been sufficiently studied for legalization.
The analysis of the advocacy group is based upon keyword searches of the federal National Library of Medicine’s website PubMed.gov. papers on cannabis topped 4,000 for the third year in a row, as researchers continue to examine the risks and benefits of the legalization movement.
In a recent blog, NORML Deputy director Paul Armentano stated that “despite claims by some, marijuana has not yet been subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny.”
He said: “It’s time for politicians to stop looking at cannabis through the lense of ‘what they don’t understand’ and start engaging in evidence-based conversations about marijuana and marijuana policy reforms that reflect what we already know.”
It is time that politicians and other stakeholders stop looking at cannabis from the perspective of “what we don’t yet know” and start engaging in evidence-based conversations about marijuana and marijuana policy reforms that reflect what we already know. https://t.co/RR8MZsaEsP
December 19, 2020 — NORML
In state and federal legislative debates, the idea that cannabis is not well-studied often comes up. This argument is usually echoed in the states by officials and legislators who want to delay or block reform.
has argued that this issue should be studied further.
The scientific literature on cannabis is extensive. However, advocates have been frustrated by a bias in federal priorities for research that has historically favoured investigations into potential harms of marijuana, instead of its benefits. NORML points out that this has started to change in recent years.
The fact that marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act is a significant barrier to research. Federal officials and scientists have repeatedly criticized this classification as a major obstacle.
Last year, Biden signed into law legislation that was meant to streamline research. A ongoing review of cannabis scheduling he led could also lead to a historic reclassification and lift research barriers. There are unique challenges to researching the Schedule I drug.
In 2023 marijuana research topics covered a wide range of issues, including usage trends, therapeutic uses, minor cannabinoids and drug substitutions, as well as legalization and policy implications.
Multiple studies have shown that legalization at the state level has not led to an increase in underage usage. This contradicts prohibitionist claims, and supports the idea that regulating markets can effectively limit youth access.
Studies have revealed other potential consequences. For example, states that continue criminalizing cannabis could be “inadvertently” promoting unregulated delta-8-THC products.
A recent study found that patients with chronic conditions experienced significant improvements in their overall quality of living and reduced fatigue within the first three months after using medical marijuana.
The following is a sample of the 2023 studies which have examined marijuana from a variety of scientific, cultural, economic, and political angles. As more states legalize marijuana, and as congressional legislators work to advance federal reform, this study will be a part of countless others.
The Food and Drug Administration has recently published a detailed report on how it evaluated over 800 investigational new drugs applications that involved cannabis and cannabis-derived product, which included ample scientific material. The FDA said that during this time, there have been profound changes to the product forms and cultural attitudes towards cannabis.
The post Scientists Publish More Than 32,000 Marijuana Studies in the Past 10 Years Including Thousands By 2023, NORML’s Analysis Shows first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
