High-quality data coupled with analytics and IT systems better position states to evaluate how new cannabis policies and programs impact public health
Washington, DC. – Sound data and analytics are imperative to states considering and implementing the legalization of cannabis, reports a new
white paper from the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
As states move to legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use, there is a lack of information on cannabis policies and programs to draw from. The association developed the paper to serve as an objective resource for state policymakers examining the potential implications of legalizing cannabis.
The white paper, titled “
Implications of Legalized Cannabis in Health and Human Services,” summarizes the technology aspects that states should consider prior to legalizing cannabis, including the use of high-quality data and analytics to help inform, anticipate and address the impacts of legalization on health and human services.
“Cannabis programs affect all aspects of state government, yet many states face challenges in measuring the widespread effects of cannabis legalization and use due to a scarcity of available data,” said Jordan Kroll, Director, Public Sector at CompTIA. “Our goal is to provide states with a roadmap of certain types of data to collect and analyze repeatedly over time, which is critical to attaining a robust evaluation on the impact of legalization.”
Additionally, the paper examines the need for further refinement of cannabis program systems and funding considerations to support systematic data collection, analytical requirements and technical assistance to states to help alleviate challenges with program initiation.
“Without robust data, policymakers will be operating in the dark,” said Aparna Keshaviah, a senior statistician at Mathematica who contributed to the white paper. “Cross-cutting approaches to collecting and synthesizing disparate sources of information will be key to clarifying the direct, indirect, and long-term effects of marijuana use and legalization on public health and safety.”
Financial resources must also be allocated towards data collection, law enforcement and health research to more effectively help regulate the new cannabis industry.
CompTIA is the leading trade association for the global information technology industry and sponsored HSITAG in the development of the report. The complete whitepaper is available online
here.
.
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 50 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.
About CompTIA Public Sector & Advocacy
CompTIA supports policies that positively impact the ability of the IT industry to develop, manufacture, and sell solutions in the global marketplace. We work to promote investment and innovation, market access, effective cybersecurity, consistent privacy regulation, streamlined procurement, and research and development. As the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications, we also support efforts to promote a well-trained technical workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.
