The Colorado Cannabis Education, Research, and Policy Project

Who we are

The  Colorado Cannabis Education, Research & Policy Project team (CO-CERP) is a team of researchers and educators from the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Through the CO-CERP, we explore how cannabis affects health, develop and share policy insights, and work to ensure Coloradans stay informed with clear, evidence-based information through active outreach and public awareness.

What we do

With the passage of HB21-1317 (Regulating Marijuana Concentrates), the Colorado School of Public Health has been tasked with:

1. Conducting a systematic review of research on the physical and mental health effects of high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates;
2. Establishing a scientific review council to make recommendations to the Colorado General Assembly about evidence-based regulatory changes and funding of additional research; and
   
3. Creating a public education campaign on the health effects of high-potency THC marijuana.
   

To learn more about the public awareness campaign, The Tea on THC, please click here. Additional information, reports, and materials will be posted periodically to this site as they become available.

Project Updates

March 27, 2024

The Colorado Cannabis Education, Research, & Policy Project released a report providing potential policy approaches to minimizing risks to Coloradans from high-concentration cannabis and THC concentrates. 

Policy Approaches to High-Concentration Cannabis and THC Concentrates - March 27, 2024

June 27, 2023

Under House Bill 1317, the Colorado School of Public Health was mandated to carry out a systematic review on high-potency THC and then to develop an educational campaign based on the findings.  That review was released on April 19 of this year and can be found on our Resources and Reports page. Work on the educational campaign has been in progress since late 2022.  Initial plans are in development, based on review of the scientific literature and input from the diverse community representatives who will be covered by the campaign. A meeting of the Scientific Review Council will be held in July to discuss the initial findings and plans. 

Latest Resources and Reports

Report to the State of Colorado

A report on the comprehensive review prepared by the Colorado School of Public Health was submitted to the Colorado State House Finance Committee, House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 19, 2023 as required under the provisions of HB 21-1317. This report details the completed scoping review.

A letter from the Scientific Review Council of HB 21-1317 detailing their recommendations was submitted to the Colorado State House Finance Committee, House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 19, 2023.

A Tableau Dashboard has been implemented and an evidence map created so that the studies meeting criteria can be filtered and utilized to address the charge given to the ColoradoSPH by the Colorado General Assembly.

Events