Juree Burgett, who traveled from Kansas, smells various varieties of cannabis at a dispensary in Kansas City, Missouri — a state where recreational pot use is now legal – Copyright AFP LOIC VENANCE

Many U.S. states have legalised marijuana, or, more accurately, cannabis, for medicinal or recreational use. This has resulted in a need for accessible and effective education and best-practice training.

A prime example is the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, which is using a $1 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to meet that need in Arizona by developing messages to promote awareness and respect for Arizona’s marijuana laws and to encourage responsible use of cannabis. The project is called AzCANN – an initalism for Arizona Cannabis Education.

Cannabis became legal in Arizona for medicinal purposes in 2010 and for recreational purposes by individuals 21 years of age or older a decade later, in 2020 (Proposition 207, the Smart and Safe Act). Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center researchers say it is necessary to provide accessible and effective education and best-practice trainings to support responsible adult medicinal and recreational marijuana use.

Under Arizona law, adults 21 years of age and older are legally permitted to possess specific amounts of cannabis for personal use. The law allows an individual to have up to one ounce (approximately 28 grams) of marijuana. This limit ensures that personal possession remains within a scope intended for individual use rather than for distribution.

Historically, messages surrounding cannabis prevention have targeted youth and relied on fear by exaggerating risks and emphasising criminal justice. The researchers state that science-based and accurate information is vital at a time when it is legal for adults to grow, possess and use cannabis in Arizona and many other states.

The Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center has partnered with the Arizona Center for Rural Health to develop a foundation of educational materials to meet four goals: provide honest, science-based information; encourage moderation among adults who use; promote an understanding of the legal and health consequences of nonpermitted and regular use; and prioritise safety through personal responsibility and knowledge. Educational and training events will be targeted to Arizona residents and healthcare providers throughout the state.

The goal is to educate healthcare professionals about cannabis and empower individuals to make healthy decisions based on personal responsibility and knowledge.

The rate of cannabis-related hospital visits is increasing, as is the cannabis-related risk of a hospital visit for a mental health condition. The increases are especially pronounced among hospital visits by older adults (ages 65+), highlighting the need for prevention and intervention in this under-recognized at-risk group.

The cannabis education programme is the sixth substance use education and training effort led by the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center. Other projects include providing continuing education and workforce training to health care professionals and people with substance use experience, developing a new substance use certificate program, and providing substance use and chronic pain intervention outreach statewide.