Call to Action for Enhanced Equity and Inclusion in Cannabis Research

Abstract

Introduction: Policies regarding cannabis use are rapidly evolving in the United States as exemplified by the legalization of recreational use in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Previous cannabis-related laws, however, disproportionately targeted communities of color before legalization, and many argue new policies are not being developed with the input of minority stakeholders postlegalization. Given that biomedical research has also historically underrepresented communities of color, there is an obligation on the part of researchers now to actively work toward improving equity in cannabis research at a time when the field is rapidly expanding. This is particularly important for research concerning therapeutic uses of cannabis and risk liabilities. Objective: This article is a call to action to improve equity and inclusion in cannabis research design and practice. Specifically, it includes three recommendations focusing on (1) inclusiveness of recruitment, (2) improve demographic reporting in articles, and (3) strengthening publication requirements. Conclusion: These efforts will enhance the shared values and ethics of our field and improve the quality and validity of our research findings moving forward.

ACOG Clinical Consensus No. 7: The Use of Cannabis Products for the Management of Pain Associated With Gynecologic Conditions

“…Black and Hispanic communities continue to be disproportionately criminalized by drug policies and underrepresented in biomedical research. In response, researchers have issued a call to action for enhanced equity and inclusion in the rapidly growing field of cannabis research, recommending 1) inclusive recruitment, 2) improved demographic reporting in publications, and 3) strengthening publication requirements and commitments to anti-racism and equity (54).…”

Cannabis, research ethics, and a duty of care

“…have a central position in drug policy formation.” This includes addressing equity and inclusion in cannabis research. Martin-Willett and Bidwell (2021) argue that given the failure to include communities of color in past studies, researchers should actively work toward improving equity in cannabis research. This requires inclusive recruitment, giving a voice to those likely to be impacted, and expanding qualitative research (Grigoropoulou and Small, 2022).…”

“…Ideally, researchers will take further steps to limit how the use of their work to criminalize, stigmatize, and pathologize people who use cannabis. This can begin to address the failure of past cannabis research generally to promote inclusivity and greater diversity (Martin-Willett and Bidwell, 2021). Solomon (2020: 5) has suggested:To move forward, we need to understand our own history and the false premise on which we have based this misguided policy.…”

Effects of historical inequity and institutional power on cannabis research: Moving toward equity and inclusion

“…It is also well documented that biomedical research has been conducted predominantly with participants who are white males of high socioeconomic status (e.g. 58 ), and cannabis research is no exception ( 59 , 60 ). However, the lack of diversity in research is not only the result of the failure of researchers to adequately reach out to underrepresented communities ( 61–64 ) but is also impacted by a justifiable distrust of the research enterprise and the medical establishment by many minority groups ( 15 ).…”

“…This approach could be especially fruitful for cannabis research given that many people may fear stigma or legal repercussions associated with participation that are unique compared to other areas of biomedical research. Our group has provided some actionable steps researchers could take to move toward more ethical design, such as developing participant registries, consistently communicating research results to communities, or using qualitative methods to align research goals with community goals before studies commence ( 60 ).…”