The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Tuesday announced $2.35 million in grant funding for marijuana-related research studies to address potential public health and safety impacts of marijuana use.
Colorado health authorities say they hope to fill gaps in marijuana research, which was historically was limited because recreational marijuana use was illegal.
Research areas will include an assessment of driving impairment in occasional versus heavy marijuana users, the duration of marijuana in breast milk and the types of marijuana products associated with emergency department visits.
Other studies will examine marijuana use among older Coloradans, analysis of data comparing recreational marijuana use before and after legalization among college-aged students, and the short-term cardiovascular effects of marijuana use. The seventh study looks at use of concentrated marijuana, a practice known as “dabbing.”
The state already has funded $9 million in medical marijuana research, and earlier this year, the General Assembly authorized the additional funding to study potential public health and safety impacts of legalized retail marijuana.
The studiesAssessment of Driving Impairment in Occasional vs. Heavy Marijuana Users: University of Colorado School of Medicine and Community & Behavioral Health Colorado School of Public Health, a three-year study with an $843,500 grant.Acute Effects of Dabbing on Marijuana Intoxication, Driving Impairment, and Cognitive Functioning: Institute of Cognitive Science at University of Colorado Boulder, a three-year study with an $843,500 grant.Duration of Marijuana Concentration in Breast Milk: University of Colorado School of Medicine (Children’s Hospital Colorado), a two-year study with a $186,500 grant.Older Coloradans and Marijuana, A Public Health Problem or Policy Alternative: University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a one-year study with a $97,500 grant.The Adverse Effects of Edible Cannabis Products: University of Colorado School of Medicine, a one-year grant with a $97,500 grant.Analysis of Data from Before and After Implementation of Recreational Marijuana in Colorado: Colorado State University, a two-year study with a $186,500 grant.The Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana in At-Risk Patients: University of Colorado School of Medicine, a one-year study with a $99,000 grant.