Take the first step towards transformation.

Talking Joints Memo (TJM)


In 2022, according to the MA Department of Public Health, opioid-related overdose deaths rose 2.5%, with a total of 2,357 deaths in 2022, with the overdose death rate increasing by 42%, accounting for the largest increase in overdose deaths. Fentanyl was present at a rate of 93 percent of fatal opioid overdoses in 2022 where a toxicology report was available. 47 percent of all opioid-related overdose deaths were between 25 and 44 years old; 43 percent were between 45 and 64 years old.


This new iCount research study is intended to give a platform for cannabis consumers, patients, and veterans to share their voice about how cannabis has helped in the past, or currently, reduce the use of other harmful substances including alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs; or unwanted medication use including opioids, fentanyl, and prescription medications and over-the counter medications.

Dr. Marion McNabb
President, Cannabis Center of Excellence

The Boston Globe


The benefit of a legal market is the assurance of safe products. At the end of the day, it’s the testing that sets us apart from the legacy market

Labeling on cannabis products is often inaccurate. The research subcommittee of the Cannabis Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the state Cannabis Control Commission that oversees state marijuana regulations, considered a slate of reforms that would impose stricter standards and oversight on marijuana testing labs.


The proposals would go a long way toward informing and protecting consumers, building trust about product safety, and standardizing an industry that is now the Wild West, with little oversight and little ability to weed out bad actors.

Cannabis Business Times


In Massachusetts, New Research Project Examines Veterans’ Access to Medical Cannabis

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In 2019, 76% of the veterans reported that medical cannabis was helping improve their quality of life, while also helping them to reduce unwanted use of prescription or over-the-counter medications.


Understanding medical cannabis patient needs—specifically veterans’ needs—is one way to accelerate that proposed regulatory reform and ameliorate any access issues for patients across Massachusetts.

Dr. Marion McNabb
President, Cannabis Center of Excellence

CommonWealth

Could Massachusetts become a cannabis research hub?

Today, marijuana research is heavily regulated, and there is a lack of available funding. Even if the federal barriers are removed, those involved in the industry said the state would need to do more to encourage research, by providing money and changing regulations.


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We have both the adult use and medical industry here, we have a lot of really smart people… I definitely think we can be a leader in the US in cannabis research, but what we need to do is really invest in it, meaning put some financial dollars toward research.

Dr. Marion McNabb
President, Cannabis Center of Excellence