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Overview:
This Policy Proposal has been designed for Australia with the hard learned lessons from other jurisdictions in mind. Ensuring faux claims of perceived manageability are addressed. Not only has there been considerable consultation with health, legal and policy professionals, but with the voice of the vast silent majority of non-substance users being heard. Informing and being informed by this majority demographic who have been kept in the dark on this now heavily engineered and dangerous psychotropic toxin.
Australians deserve best practice safety, health and wellbeing policy.
Alcohol and Tobacco are still the greatest contributors of harm to the public health and safety arena. Adding another psychotropic toxin to the currents of trade will only amplify and add to these growing community harms.
Once a substance is trivialised, normalised, decriminalised, legalised then commercialised – harms will increase and the human cost in short and long-term harms, not least to the emerging generation will be incalculable.
All that will be achieved is the greater accessibility, availability and acceptability of a now addictive and demand sustaining substance. Add to
that, commercialisation – you now have another thriving addiction for profit industry decimating public and community health, with impunity. This is completely contrary to good public health, safety and productivity.
This document will demonstrate that the Penington Institute modelling of vast sums of money to be garnered by the Victorian Government from tax revenues and increased employment will be far outweighed by the health and social costs presented by cannabis legalisation, and that the Penington document is culpably silent on the very real demonstrable costs that far outweigh its touted benefits.
The ‘Perfect Permission’ model of legalised substances has not removed the criminal dealer from the market place, and will not do so in Australia. If the argument is applied that ‘enforcement will ensure the regulated market will not be undermined or black market cannabis continues’, then we could argue that could be done now, whilst the substance is still technically illegal. It is all about political will.
The question then becomes not whether a substance can be policed, but whether there is the political will to police it in the best interest of public health, safety and wellbeing.
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A major new study has uncovered a deeply concerning connection between cannabis use and dramatically rising cancer rates amongst adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in North America. This comprehensive study, analysing data from 2000 to 2019, provides compelling evidence that cannabis exposure may be accelerating breast and testicular cancer incidence in young people at an unprecedented rate.
The Scope of Rising Cancer Rates in Young People
The statistics paint a troubling picture. In the United States, breast cancer diagnoses in females aged 20-34 increased by a staggering 26% between 2000 and 2019, rising from 3,622 new cases to 4,868 cases annually. Similarly, testicular cancer in males aged 15-39 saw a 21% increase, climbing from 5,111 to 6,181 new cases per year.
What makes these figures particularly alarming is the acceleration pattern observed in the data. Breast cancer rates in young women showed a dramatic surge after 2010, with the annual percentage increase jumping from 0.61% during 2000-2010 to 1.73% during 2010-2019—a staggering 182% acceleration. This timeline corresponds directly with the progressive legalisation of cannabis across various American states.
Cannabis Legalisation and Cancer Incidence: A Disturbing Correlation
The research examined cancer registry data from 22 states representing nearly half the US population, categorising regions based on their cannabis legalisation status. The findings reveal a stark difference between areas that had legalised cannabis and those that had not.
In states that legalised cannabis, breast cancer rates in young women increased at 1.3% annually, compared to just 0.7% in non-legalising states. For testicular cancer, the disparity was even more pronounced. Legalising states showed continuous increases of 1.2% annually throughout the study period, whilst non-legalising states experienced no significant increase until 2011, followed by a much smaller rise thereafter.
By 2019, cancer incidence rates had become notably higher in cannabis-legalising jurisdictions. Breast cancer increased by 26% in legalising regions compared to 13% in non-legalising areas, whilst testicular cancer rose by 24% versus 17% respectively.
Cannabis Use and Cancer Risk: The Biological Connection
The research provides compelling evidence for a biological mechanism linking cannabis exposure to cancer development. Both breast and testicular tissues contain endocannabinoid receptors, particularly cannabidiol receptor 1 (CB-1), which interact directly with cannabis compounds. This creates a pathway through which cannabis can potentially trigger carcinogenic processes.
Furthermore, cannabis acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with luteinising hormone and gonadotropin receptors present in both breast and testicular tissue. This hormonal disruption may create conditions conducive to cancer development, particularly in young people whose reproductive systems are still developing.
The study found that triple-negative breast cancer—the most aggressive form—showed the strongest correlation with cannabis legalisation, with rates increasing by 5.6% annually in legalising states compared to 2.5% in non-legalising regions.
International Evidence: Canada’s Experience
Canada’s experience provides additional concerning evidence. Following nationwide cannabis legalisation in 2018, Canada has experienced even more dramatic increases than the United States. Breast cancer in young Canadian women aged 20-34 increased by 35% between 2000 and 2019, whilst testicular cancer in males aged 15-39 surged by an extraordinary 83%.
The research reveals that cannabis use disorder prevalence in Canada is highest amongst 15-24 year olds, with cancer incidence peaks occurring 5-15 years later in life—suggesting a concerning latency period between cannabis exposure and cancer development.
THC Potency: An Escalating Threat
Modern cannabis products pose an amplified risk due to dramatically increased THC concentrations. The study found strong correlations between rising THC potency and cancer incidence rates, with correlation coefficients of 0.85 for breast cancer and 0.94 for testicular cancer.
Today’s cannabis contains THC levels far exceeding those of previous decades, potentially explaining the acceleration in cancer rates observed in recent years. This increased potency may be particularly concentrated in legalising jurisdictions where cannabis industries focus on developing high-THC products.
Demographic Patterns and Vulnerable Populations
The research identified concerning demographic patterns in cannabis-related cancer risk. Among ethnic groups, breast cancer correlations with cannabis legalisation were strongest in non-Hispanic white and black females, whilst testicular cancer correlations were most pronounced in Hispanic and Native American males.
These patterns reflect known cannabis usage demographics, with the research noting that cannabis use among female adolescents in the United States is highest among non-Hispanic whites, aligning with the observed cancer trends.
Time to Cancer Development: A Rapid Threat
Perhaps most alarming is the speed at which cannabis appears to trigger cancer development. The age patterns observed suggest that cannabis-induced cancers may develop within 5-10 years of exposure, with most cases occurring within 5-15 years. This rapid timeline contradicts assumptions that cancer development requires decades of exposure to carcinogenic substances.
For young people beginning cannabis use in their teens or early twenties, this means potential cancer diagnoses could occur during what should be their healthiest years, with devastating consequences for their future health and wellbeing.
Treatment Outcomes: Cannabis Compounds the Problem
Beyond increasing cancer risk, cannabis use may also compromise treatment effectiveness once cancer develops. Research on metastatic breast cancer patients found that cannabis users experienced significantly shorter progression-free survival (3.4 versus 13.1 months) and overall survival (6.4 versus 28.5 months) compared to non-users.
These findings suggest that cannabis not only increases cancer risk but may also reduce the chances of successful treatment, creating a double jeopardy for young people who use these substances.
Public Health Implications and Prevention
The evidence presented demands urgent reconsideration of cannabis policies and public health messaging. With adolescents and young adults representing the highest cannabis-using demographic—18-25 year olds show the highest usage rates in the United States—targeted prevention efforts are crucial.
The research challenges common misconceptions about cannabis safety, particularly the notion that it represents a “natural” or “harmless” alternative to other substances. The data clearly demonstrates that cannabis use carries serious long-term health consequences that can manifest relatively quickly in young users.
The Need for Immediate Action
This study provides the strongest evidence yet linking cannabis use and cancer risk in young people. The timing patterns, biological explanations, and consistent results across both countries all point to serious health risks that need immediate attention.
Too many young people, parents, teachers, and politicians still think cannabis is harmless – something popular culture has made worse. But the evidence shows that using cannabis as a teenager or young adult can lead to cancer in just a few years, not the decades we might expect.
The best way to protect young people from these serious health problems is prevention. When people understand the real risks of cannabis use, they can make better choices about their health and their future. (Source: WRD News academia.edu)
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A groundbreaking clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed alarming evidence of CBD liver damage in healthy adults taking doses commonly used by consumers. The US Food and Drug Administration conducted the study, challenging the widespread perception that cannabidiol products are entirely safe and highlighting significant health risks that were previously unrecognised.
CBD Liver Damage Affects 1 in 20 Users in Clinical Trial
The FDA’s randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined 201 healthy participants over 28 days, with 151 receiving CBD at 5mg/kg daily (approximately 400mg for an average adult) and 50 receiving placebo. The results were stark: 8 participants (5.6%) in the CBD group developed liver enzyme elevations greater than three times the normal range, whilst no participants in the placebo group experienced similar effects.
This 5.6% liver toxicity rate from cannabidiol poses a significant health risk, especially since the damage appeared only in laboratory tests while participants felt completely fine. The study’s findings are particularly concerning because they demonstrate liver damage at doses within the range commonly consumed by the general public.
Silent Liver Injury: The Hidden Danger of Cannabidiol Products
Perhaps most troubling is the asymptomatic nature of CBD liver damage observed in the study. Only one participant with elevated enzyme levels experienced symptoms within the four-week window, underscoring that many users may unknowingly experience liver stress without outward signs. This silent progression of liver injury means that consumers using CBD products could be causing significant harm to their bodies without realising it.
The study revealed that seven participants experienced potential drug-induced liver injury, with elevated liver enzymes that can indicate serious cellular damage. Most concerning was that five participants developed liver enzyme levels exceeding five times the normal range, with two reaching levels greater than ten times normal.
Women Face Higher Risk of CBD-Related Liver Toxicity
The research uncovered a particularly alarming pattern regarding cannabidiol liver toxicity and gender. Women appeared to be more vulnerable to liver damage from CBD use, with five of the eight participants experiencing elevated liver enzymes being female. This finding suggests that women may be at disproportionately higher risk when using CBD products.
The study also documented concerning immune system responses alongside liver damage. The majority of participants who experienced the most serious liver problems also developed signs of eosinophilia, an immune condition characterised by excess white blood cells. This dual impact on both liver function and immune response raises serious questions about the broader health implications of CBD consumption.
Consumer CBD Doses Proven Dangerous in Controlled Testing
The FDA study specifically examined doses representative of real-world consumer use, making the findings particularly relevant to current market practices. Daily CBD intake of approximately 400mg, reflecting high consumer use, was associated with liver enzyme elevations in 5.6% of healthy adults. This dose falls well within the range that many consumers report using, with some surveys indicating that 23% of CBD users consume more than 200mg daily.
The CBD liver damage documented in this study occurred despite using pharmaceutical-grade CBD to eliminate contaminants found in unregulated products. This means the liver toxicity observed was directly attributable to CBD itself, not to impurities or adulterants commonly found in over-the-counter products.
Long-Term Implications Remain Unknown
While the study documented liver enzyme elevations returning to normal within one to two weeks after discontinuation, these are the first findings to suggest that even “low-dose CBD,” in the absence of other drugs, may pose a risk to liver health. The implications for long-term users remain unclear, as the study only examined 28 days of use.
The research highlighted several critical knowledge gaps. The study included only healthy participants aged 18-55 without comorbidities or concurrent medications, potentially underestimating risks in the general population. Many CBD users have underlying health conditions, take medications, or belong to age groups not represented in this trial, all factors that could increase susceptibility to cannabidiol liver toxicity.
Regulatory Oversight Urgently Needed
The study’s findings underscore the inadequacy of current regulatory frameworks surrounding CBD products. Such concerns were initially described following an FDA review of clinical trial data on CBD-based prescription drugs for childhood epilepsy, with raised liver enzymes being observed in 14% of participants. Despite these earlier warnings, unregulated CBD products remain widely available to consumers without adequate safety information.
The research suggests that routine monitoring may be necessary for CBD users, particularly those with existing liver conditions or those taking medications metabolised by the liver. Experts suggest incorporating CBD usage into routine medical screening to identify potential liver damage before it becomes clinically apparent.
The Need for Evidence-Based Caution
This FDA study represents the most rigorous examination to date of CBD liver damage at consumer-relevant doses. The findings challenge industry claims about CBD’s safety profile and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive regulatory oversight of cannabidiol products. With millions of consumers regularly using CBD products, even a 5.6% incidence rate of liver injury represents a significant public health concern.
The research demonstrates that CBD is not the benign substance many consumers believe it to be. The combination of silent liver injury, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and immune system effects reveals a complex toxicity profile that demands serious attention from health authorities and consumers alike.
As the popularity of CBD products continues to grow, this study serves as a crucial warning about the potential for serious health consequences from substances marketed as natural wellness products. The evidence clearly indicates that cannabidiol liver toxicity is a real and measurable risk that consumers need to understand before using these products.
(Source: JAMA Network)
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The landscape of cannabis and sleep research presents a troubling pattern that has persisted for decades. A regular feature of almost all research reviews, studies and trials on cannabis invariably land with two consistent themes and/or caveats: 1) No conclusive evidence as to the claims, but possible… and 2) More research needed! This pattern is strikingly evident in the current body of literature examining marijuana sleep disorders, where decades of investigation have yielded frustratingly inconclusive results.
Four Decades of Cannabis and Sleep Research
For over 40 years, we have been engaged in researching this now heavily engineered and entirely unnatural plant. Between 1985 and 2025, researchers conducted well over 10,000 reports, studies, and trials examining the benefits and harms of cannabis—at a staggering cost of $4.5 billion USD. Yet despite this massive investment, the outcome has been remarkably limited: only one new FDA-approved medication has emerged in the U.S., while just three other cannabis-based drugs—approved decades ago—remain in use.
Three recent comprehensive reviews paint a concerning picture of cannabis and sleep research. Babson et al. (2017) summarised research up to 2014 and detailed subsequent findings, concluding that “research on cannabis and sleep is in its infancy and has yielded mixed results.” Their review found preliminary suggestions that cannabidiol (CBD) might have therapeutic potential for insomnia, whilst delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may decrease sleep latency but could impair long-term sleep quality.
Limited Evidence for Cannabis and Sleep Benefits
The systematic review by Velzeboer et al. (2022) examined 31 studies specifically focusing on dosing and administration for marijuana sleep disorders. Their findings were hardly encouraging: sleep improvements were observed in only 7 out of 19 randomised studies and 7 out of 12 uncontrolled trials. Whilst subjective improvements in sleep quality were sometimes reported, diagnostic testing revealed no actual improvements in sleep architecture. The researchers concluded that “high-quality evidence to support cannabis use for sleep remains limited.”
Perhaps most tellingly, the qualitative scoping review by Amaral et al. (2023) analysed 40 publications spanning five decades. The results were sobering. While cannabis improved sleep in just 21% of studies, 48% reported worse sleep outcomes. Additionally, 14% showed mixed results, and 17% found no impact at all. Ultimately, the authors concluded with stark honesty: “Our findings summarise the lack of robust evidence to support the use of cannabis for sleep disorders.”
The Heterogeneity Problem in Marijuana Sleep Disorders Studies
The research consistently highlights a fundamental problem: the extreme variability in cannabis products, dosing, administration methods, and outcome measures makes meaningful conclusions nearly impossible. As Velzeboer et al. noted, “Heterogeneity in cannabis types, doses, timing of administration, and sleep outcome measures limit the ability to make specific dosing recommendations.”
This heterogeneity isn’t merely a methodological inconvenience—it reflects the inherent unpredictability of cannabis as a therapeutic agent. Unlike traditional pharmaceuticals with standardised active compounds and predictable pharmacokinetics, cannabis contains hundreds of chemical constituents that vary dramatically between products, batches, and individual responses.
The research reveals a troubling disconnect between subjective reports and objective measurements in cannabis and sleep studies. While many users claimed their sleep had improved, multiple studies found otherwise. Polysomnographic assessments—the gold standard for analysing sleep architecture—consistently showed no actual improvements. This contrast suggests that much of the perceived benefit may stem from a placebo effect, likely amplified by the psychoactive properties of THC, which can induce a subjective sense of relaxation or sedation without producing real improvements in sleep quality.
Public Health Implications and Collateral Harms
The question is: after four decades of researchers relentlessly studying and manipulating this complex plant without producing anything close to “good medicine,” how many more decades and billions of pounds will governments and industries waste on promoting a propagandised plant?
More concerning is the mounting evidence of public health harms already incurred. Studies on cannabis and sleep document adverse events including headaches, sedation, and dizziness occurring more frequently at higher doses. But these pale in comparison to the broader societal costs: billions of pounds lost and lives harmed through road and workplace accidents, mental health deterioration, addiction, and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome manifestations. The social and emotional costs to families and communities from this heavily marketed psychotropic substance continue to accumulate.
The cannabis and sleep research literature exemplifies a broader paradox in cannabis medicine: the more rigorously we study it, the less promising it appears. Early observational studies and anecdotal reports suggested significant benefits, but as researchers improve methodological quality and reduce bias, the positive effects diminish or disappear entirely.
Amaral et al. found that only 25% of the studies they reviewed were randomised controlled trials—the gold standard in medical research. The majority relied on observational data or uncontrolled studies, which are particularly susceptible to bias and confounding variables. This methodological weakness has allowed inflated claims about cannabis efficacy to persist despite lacking solid evidence.
Evidence-Based Medicine vs Marketing Hype
The current state of research should serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing marketing to precede science. Whilst researchers continue to call for “more research”—a refrain that has echoed for four decades—perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that extensive investigation has already provided an answer: cannabis does not appear to be effective medicine for marijuana sleep disorders.
The three comprehensive reviews examined here, spanning decades of research and thousands of patients, consistently point to the same conclusion: there is insufficient evidence to support cannabis and sleep treatment, and what evidence exists suggests limited efficacy coupled with concerning adverse effects.
Instead of pouring billions into researching a substance that has consistently failed to show clear therapeutic benefits, researchers and funders should focus on developing evidence-based sleep treatments- ones that work reliably, have predictable effects, and avoid the significant risks linked to regular cannabis use.
The Reality After Four Decades of Investment
After 40 years and $4.5 billion in research investment, the literature tells a clear story: cannabis is not a reliable treatment for sleep—and it may never be. Yet despite this, calls for “more research” persist. Increasingly, these appeals seem less rooted in scientific rigour and more like an attempt to move the goalposts, avoiding the uncomfortable truth about a substance that continues to be heavily promoted despite weak evidence.
The real challenge for public health officials, clinicians, and policymakers is not the need for more research, but whether they’re ready to prioritise evidence-based medicine over marketing hype—and to honestly weigh the full financial and human costs of promoting cannabis as medicine when the science doesn’t support it.
As Amaral and colleagues concluded, cannabis for sleep disorders is “not ready for prime time.” Given four decades of research reaching the same conclusion, perhaps it’s time to accept that it never will be.
(Source: WRD News)
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The convergence of early initiation, increasing product potency, and widespread availability has reshaped the contemporary cannabis landscape, heightening concerns about its impact on adolescent mental health. Translational research combining longitudinal human neuroimaging and animal models provides compelling evidence that cannabis use—particularly with high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and frequent use—can disrupt adolescent brain development and behavior. This vulnerability is especially relevant to trajectories leading to psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder, while also elevating risks for anxiety and depression. Although not all adolescents who use cannabis will experience adverse outcomes, a susceptible subset may face lasting consequences. These risks underscore the urgent need for targeted public education and innovative clinical research to mitigate cannabis-associated harms. Encouragingly, emerging neurobiological findings suggest that not all cannabis-induced brain changes persist into adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms implicated in the long-term effects of THC exposure further indicate that some neural and behavioral alterations may be reversible. Given the high plasticity of the adolescent brain, this evidence points to a critical window for prevention and early intervention strategies capable of altering the course of cannabis-related psychopathology and supporting more resilient developmental outcomes. (Source:Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry Volume 182, Number 7; https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20250444)
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