PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Cannabis rescheduling is expected to lead to better finances for Oregon businesses, more medical research and veteran access to cannabis treatment.
But Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy official who has worked under presidents of both parties, says rescheduling is a step in the wrong direction.
Dr. Sabet now leads the organization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, that stipulates although criminalization is wrong and records should be expunged, blanket legalization is the wrong path to take.
“I’m worried about another big tobacco,” Dr. Sabet told KOIN 6 News. “The marijuana industry wants to make money and we learned what happened when that’s the case, when profit trumps public health. So I’d remind all of us ‘buyer beware.’”
He continued, “What are we buying here? Are we buying another century of lies like we did with big tobacco? I think we need to think about that.”
Dr. Sabet also stressed that public health awareness campaign – like the one previously used for tobacco – would help inform consumers about potential safety risks and side effects from regular marijuana use.
Additionally, he stated the high concentration THC products gaining popularity are understudied and the market needs government regulation and safety testing.