Emerging Cannabis Topics

As you may have noticed, there’s been a lot of cannabis news lately. Whether it’s an increase in daily cannabis use, policy attempts to close the federal loophole around oversight of delta-8 THC and other similar substances, or the movement to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III by the DEA, there has been a lot happening.

These changes can have massive implications regarding research, potential new products and other changes to the current marketplace. 

We know these policy changes will take some time, meaning more coverage will come, but for now, these are tricky issues for journalists to cover and require a lot of nuance – something our team is well-situated to help you with.

Whether you're covering these changes nationally or localizing these stories in your community, we want to help you ground these conversations in science and the lived experience of people to avoid harmful tropes, misinformation and stigma.

Here's how we can help you today.

For professional and student journalists:

• Our sortable database has vetted experts in cannabis research and policy (filter -> specialty -> cannabis) with background and contact info so you can see how they fit your story. 
• Or, reply to this email/reach out to contact@reportingonaddiction.org to tell us about the story you’re currently reporting so we can help with questions and sourcing.
• Our one-page style guide (download here) provides a checklist for how to approach reporting on substance policy and research-related topics like this. We’re here to answer any questions!

For experts:

• We want to help facilitate conversations and interviews with journalists who are reporting on this topic. If you’re willing to be interviewed, apply here to be part of our vetted expert database (less than 5 minutes application).
• If you specialize in cannabis and have something to say about how the media covered this topic, we can help! We have resources to help you write and pitch an op-ed to news outlets. We also provide media training and support if the media reaches out to you and you need help getting started. Reply to this email or reach out to contact@reportingonaddiction.org.

For educators:

• If you would like to use the recent coverage of cannabis as a teaching moment for your students to accurately report on addiction treatment and research, reply here to connect with our team who can help you structure a lesson from our research-based materials.
• Delta-8 in particular is popular around college campuses. Need help with story ideas or finding sources? We got you! Reply to this email or reach out to contact@reportingonaddiction.org.