PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: The United States (US) continues to experience unprecedented rates of overdose mortality and there is increased need to identify effective harm reduction practices. Research from Canada describes cannabis donation through harm reduction agencies as an adjunctive strategy to mitigate the negative consequences of more harmful drugs. This case study describes the operational logistics, feasibility, and potential benefits of a cannabis donation program that was operated through a harm reduction program in rural Michigan.
METHODS: We applied a community driven research approach to gather information from harm reduction program staff about the implementation and evolution of cannabis donation efforts in Michigan. We also examined 20-months (September 2021 through May 2023) of administrative data from a cannabis company to compare the sale and donation of cannabis products. Ten cannabis-experienced harm reduction clients received cannabis donations, with clinical staff determining client interest and appropriateness, and providing weekly pick-up or delivery. To expand product availability and sustainability, we examined administrative data from a commercialcannabis company that volunteered to provide donations. This administrative data suggests that while flower products constitute most of the adult and medical sales, edible, oil, and topical products predominated donations. Further, cost analysis suggests that donations represent only 1% of total gross sales and account for much less than the expected yearly donation amount.
CONCLUSIONS: Research suggests there is potential to reduce alcohol and drug use related harms of more dangerous substances through substitution with cannabis. This case study is the first to document cannabis donation as a harm reduction practice in the US and suggests potential for sustainability dependent on state laws. Findings from this case study provide a starting point for inquiry into cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy in the US; future research is needed to fully understand the individual-level outcomes, public health impacts, necessary legal regulations, and best practices for cannabis donation programs through harm reduction organizations.
METHODS: We applied a community driven research approach to gather information from harm reduction program staff about the implementation and evolution of cannabis donation efforts in Michigan. We also examined 20-months (September 2021 through May 2023) of administrative data from a cannabis company to compare the sale and donation of cannabis products. Ten cannabis-experienced harm reduction clients received cannabis donations, with clinical staff determining client interest and appropriateness, and providing weekly pick-up or delivery. To expand product availability and sustainability, we examined administrative data from a commercialcannabis company that volunteered to provide donations. This administrative data suggests that while flower products constitute most of the adult and medical sales, edible, oil, and topical products predominated donations. Further, cost analysis suggests that donations represent only 1% of total gross sales and account for much less than the expected yearly donation amount.
CONCLUSIONS: Research suggests there is potential to reduce alcohol and drug use related harms of more dangerous substances through substitution with cannabis. This case study is the first to document cannabis donation as a harm reduction practice in the US and suggests potential for sustainability dependent on state laws. Findings from this case study provide a starting point for inquiry into cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy in the US; future research is needed to fully understand the individual-level outcomes, public health impacts, necessary legal regulations, and best practices for cannabis donation programs through harm reduction organizations.
摘要：
背景：美国（US）继续经历前所未有的过量死亡率，并且越来越需要确定有效的减少伤害的做法。加拿大的研究将通过减少危害机构捐赠大麻描述为减轻更有害药物的负面影响的辅助策略。本案例研究描述了运营物流，可行性,以及通过密歇根州农村地区的减少伤害计划实施的大麻捐赠计划的潜在好处。
方法：我们采用了社区驱动的研究方法，从减少危害计划的工作人员那里收集有关密歇根州大麻捐赠工作的实施和发展的信息。我们还检查了20个月（2021年9月至2023年5月）的大麻公司行政数据，以比较大麻产品的销售和捐赠情况。十名有大麻经验的减少伤害的客户接受了大麻捐赠，临床工作人员确定客户的兴趣和适当性，并提供每周提货或送货。为了扩大产品的可用性和可持续性，我们检查了一家自愿提供捐款的商业大麻公司的行政数据。这些行政数据表明，虽然花卉产品占成人和医疗销售的大部分，可食用,油,和局部产品占主导地位的捐赠。Further,成本分析表明，捐赠仅占总销售额的1%，远远低于预期的年度捐赠金额。
结论：研究表明，通过用大麻代替，有可能减少与酒精和药物使用相关的更危险物质的危害。这个案例研究是第一个记录大麻捐赠作为美国减少伤害的做法，并表明取决于州法律的可持续性潜力。本案例研究的结果为调查大麻捐赠作为美国减少伤害的策略提供了一个起点;未来的研究需要充分了解个人层面的结果。公共卫生影响，必要的法律法规，以及通过减少伤害组织进行大麻捐赠计划的最佳做法。
方法：我们采用了社区驱动的研究方法，从减少危害计划的工作人员那里收集有关密歇根州大麻捐赠工作的实施和发展的信息。我们还检查了20个月（2021年9月至2023年5月）的大麻公司行政数据，以比较大麻产品的销售和捐赠情况。十名有大麻经验的减少伤害的客户接受了大麻捐赠，临床工作人员确定客户的兴趣和适当性，并提供每周提货或送货。为了扩大产品的可用性和可持续性，我们检查了一家自愿提供捐款的商业大麻公司的行政数据。这些行政数据表明，虽然花卉产品占成人和医疗销售的大部分，可食用,油,和局部产品占主导地位的捐赠。Further,成本分析表明，捐赠仅占总销售额的1%，远远低于预期的年度捐赠金额。
结论：研究表明，通过用大麻代替，有可能减少与酒精和药物使用相关的更危险物质的危害。这个案例研究是第一个记录大麻捐赠作为美国减少伤害的做法，并表明取决于州法律的可持续性潜力。本案例研究的结果为调查大麻捐赠作为美国减少伤害的策略提供了一个起点;未来的研究需要充分了解个人层面的结果。公共卫生影响，必要的法律法规，以及通过减少伤害组织进行大麻捐赠计划的最佳做法。
