Last year, the Oregon Legislature assembled to look into creating a cannabis research institute.
The facility would have been similar to ones in and .
The goal was simple: to increase the state鈥檚 knowledge about what marijuana can and cannot do.
But that hasn鈥檛 happened. Why? Oregon state epidemiologist : 鈥淏ecause the Legislature is one that allocates various funding for various programs and budgets and institutes.鈥�
Another reason it hasn鈥檛 happened is that the task force found the science needed to be conducted in universities. Oregon鈥檚 universities, like their counterparts across the country, were reluctant to do research on marijuana because it鈥檚 still illegal at the federal level. Schools don鈥檛 want to risk losing federal funds.
Still, some marijuana research is being conducted. For example, the 鈥� just released a report saying patients treated with cannabis are more likely to experience significantly less pain.
鈥淲e also know that patients taking cancer chemotherapy, it might help reduce some of the symptoms like nausea, etcetera,鈥� Hedberg said. 鈥淎nd of course many people have loss of appetite, and marijuana may help increase appetite.鈥�
The report found some negative effects too, like an increased risk of developing schizophrenia and social anxiety.
To incorporate all this new science, Hedberg holds periodic meetings of the 鈥�,鈥� a group of doctors and scientists who provide input on public health issues surrounding marijuana.
So if the state puts out a leaflet or starts a campaign to stop youth from using marijuana, it relies on the committee鈥檚 advice.
Still, the National Academy findings are small when compared to a drug that the said was good for cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, PTSD, pain and seizures.
Indeed, Oregon has been struggling with how to regulate marijuana since the bill passed in 1998.
鈥淟egalized states are in a position where they have to act as almost a mini-FDA,鈥� said Andre Ourso, who manages
鈥淭hey鈥檙e also regulating it in recreation states as a vice. So they鈥檙e regulating it in the same manner that we鈥檇 regulate alcohol and tobacco.鈥�
Mark Pettinger with the says his agency regulates marijuana more like a health supplement.
鈥淵ou go into a health food store, you鈥檝e got a rash on your arm. And you talk to someone who鈥檚 in there and they say: 鈥極h, I鈥檝e got just the thing for you,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淭hey go over and they pick a herb off the shelf. They say: 鈥楾his has worked for me pretty well.鈥� But you look on the label of the package, and it clearly says that these claims have not been approved by the FDA.鈥�
That confusion 鈥� about whether to treat marijuana as a supplement, a medicine or an alcohol is the reason the drug is currently overseen by two agencies. The Oregon Health Authority makes sure it鈥檚 safe. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission makes sure it doesn鈥檛 get into the hands of kids.
There are a couple of bills in Salem this session that would put regulation under one agency 鈥� probably the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. But that still up in the air.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 better from a good government standpoint. I think it鈥檚 better for consumers,鈥� said Rob Patridge, the former head of the OLCC.
Meanwhile, the marijuana industry鈥檚 attention is fixed on the Trump administration. Politicians from Oregon have asked the federal government to at least maintain . But United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said the nation needs to clearly say that .
Copyright 2017 Oregon Public Broadcasting