Millions of Americans use cannabis and states continue to legalize it, in violation of federal law. But as the substance is praised for its medicinal and recreational benefits, a cannabis-related arrest occurs every 58 seconds, most often involving a person of color. How can we address that inequity? Does cannabis help or hurt us? What does the science tell us? NOVA’s The Cannabis Question investigates the latest science on the medical benefits and risks of cannabis and explores the decades of criminalization disproportionately targeting communities of color.
The film premieres Wednesday, September 29 at 9pm on GBH 2 and nationally on PBS stations.
Sarah Holt, writer/producer/director and award-winning GBH filmmaker (Decoding COVID-19, The Truth About Fat, Addiction) hopes the film, which features interviews with scientists, researchers, cannabis users and policymakers, starts conversations and prompts people to think more critically about the substance.
“Many people think that cannabis is benign,” said Holt. “I was amazed to learn that we make our own cannabis-like molecules. They bind to receptors found throughout the body and brain, forming the endocannabinoid system. Few have heard of it, but it regulates key processes, including memory, mood, appetite and cognition. Anytime you use cannabis, you are engaging this system, whether for good or for bad.”
Although millions of Americans are experimenting with medicinal cannabis, there's not been a lot of scientific investigation on the long-term impacts of its use, she added.
Because cannabis is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I drug — the same as heroin — research has been hindered by paperwork and bureaucracy.
“But that is slowly changing. Scores of clinical trials are now underway studying the effects of cannabis on the developing brain and looking at its medical benefits,” says Holt. “The film features individuals who use cannabis medicinally to treat ailments that include post-traumatic stress disorder, epileptic seizures, side effects from chemotherapy and chronic pain.”
“Cannabis impacts so many aspects of our society,” says Holt, “and we can’t talk about cannabis and not talk about racism.”
“The demonization and criminalization of cannabis has disproportionately harmed communities of color over several decades,” she said.
Cannabis is one of the driving forces fueling mass incarceration in the U.S. This creates a vicious cycle of arrests, incarceration and poverty, which negatively impacts people’s overall health and quality of life.
“It's amazing to me that with the patchwork of laws that we have in this country, someone can legally buy medical cannabis in one state and end up spending time in prison for possessing the same cannabis in another state,” said Holt.
Holt’s bottom line: “Cannabis is not one thing. The plant has over 500 chemicals. It matters whether you are using it as a teenager or an adult, whether you are using it daily or occasionally or taking a low dose or high one. Cannabis can be fine for some people, but harmful for others — it’s complicated.”
Watch the trailer here and register for this free GBH panel discussion on October 7.
