By Angela Speakman, cannabis educator at Stockton University
While cannabis has existed for thousands of years, accessing clear, understandable information about it today can sometimes be a challenge. The narrative around cannabis has been shifting in recent decades, resulting from state-by-state legalization while the federal Schedule 1 categorization remains in effect. [https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling] The federal scheduling goes back to the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, essentially resulting in the federal cannabis prohibition that continues today. Currently, approximately 80% of states have a medical cannabis program and nearly 50% have an adult-use (sometimes called recreational) cannabis program.
As states institute legal medical and adult-use cannabis programs, there are steps forward in statewide and national industries, but these growing markets are still in development. The tension that exists between the continued federal prohibition and state-driven legalization significantly contributes to why information about cannabis can be confusing. When asking questions about cannabis, whether through a search engine, a conversation with a health care professional, or your well-intended grandchildren, the answers – and the accuracy of them – can vary considerably. If you’re looking for reliable and accurate information about safe consumption practices and important context, there are some cannabis resources that can help. Below are some verified information sources that aim to help online users confidently understand more about this complex topic.
Educational Resources
Stockton University
Stockton University, a 4-year public institution, is a cannabis education pioneer in New Jersey. This summer, through the Stockton Institute for Lifelong Learning, the Stockton Center on Successful Aging will offer weekly online community education “Understanding Cannabis from Past to Present” classes. Stockton began offering cannabis certification and undergraduate courses in 2019. As of last year, the university launched an undergraduate degree program in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management.
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https://stockton.zoom.us/meeting/register/8g1xG3iQQeGZ-pb2-7LH-A#/registration
https://stockton.edu/aging/service-learning.html
Hemp & Cannabis Business Management – School of Business | Stockton University
Cannabis Training Academy
Launched in 2024, the Cannabis Training Academy (CTA) is the nation’s first publicly-funded cannabis training program of its kind. Designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs considering pursuing licensed operations, the curriculum focuses on the ins and outs of business operations. Accessible to New Jerseyans at no charge, the course material also provides insight about all things cannabis in the Garden State.
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https://www.nj.gov/state/bac/cannabis-training/about/
EduCanNation
Available from our neighbors to the north, EduCanNation is an online education resource that aims to be the “primary source of responsible cannabis education in Canada that supports the sharing of current, evidence-based, unbiased, and accurate cannabis knowledge to Cannabis educators, the medical industry, healthcare professionals, licensed producers/holders, government, educational institutions, and the general public.” Information from EduCanNation focuses on learning opportunities and science-driven data.
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https://www.educannation.info/
Educational Organizations
Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Launched 4 years ago, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) is the governing body responsible for regulating the sale of cannabis in New Jersey. While the agency is focused on policy and regulation, the NJ-CRC website is a useful information source for public audiences. Included in the extensive resources are licensed business information, dispensary locations, compliance and safety updates, and much more. The NJCRC also provides some learning resources and contact information for agency staff.
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NJCBA
Founded in New Jersey nearly a decade ago, the New Jersey Cannabusiness Association (NJCBA) is a trade organization dedicated to promoting a “responsible, sustainable, and inclusive industry.” While much of their work focuses on the business aspect of the growing statewide industry, NJCBA is a go-to source for what is happening in cannabis in New Jersey, especially policy topics.
https://newjerseycannabusiness.com/
NORML
Founded in the 1970s, NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is a nonprofit public advocacy group that opposes marijuana prohibition and favors an end to arrests for marijuana consumption. While this national organization is obviously and inherently pro-cannabis access, they are a longstanding convener of relevant, timely cannabis related news, studies, and trends. Their “Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use” conveys their guiding pillars, which provides insight about how they approach their work. Also, the Marijuana Policy Project, a national advocacy organization, aligns with the efforts of NORML. https://norml.org
Educational Services
Green Shoulder
Green Shoulder, an education program offered by Elucidation Strategies, is an at-home, adult-use cannabis consumption guidance service offered in New Jersey. This unique hands-on approach to cannabis education helps individuals and small groups who want to learn more about cannabis consumption. Trained Sidekicks provide helpful information and support, helping cannacurious people learn more about modes (flower, edibles, and/or concentrates), consumption effects, plant science, and other related topics.
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https://www.elucidationstrategies.com/greenshoulder
Leaf411
Leaf411 is a national nonprofit helpline focused on providing access to reliable cannabis information. The mission of the organization is to provide education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. As described on their website, they are a team of “cannabis trained nurses [who] are passionate about helping [the] community access balanced education about their legal cannabis use.”
Penn State CANNabinoid Drug Interaction Review (CANN-DIR®)
In 2022, Penn State University researchers developed a new web-based application that potentially shows how cannabinoids (the chemical compounds found in cannabis plants) could interact with other substances. Designed to “help pharmacists and other health care providers improve patient safety by reducing unintended interactions between medical and recreational marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) products and other medications,” the app is an important early-stage step into understanding more about pharmaceutical and plant medicine interactions.