Posted: May 15th, 2023

Regulation of Recreational Cannabis: A Policy Position Statement

PHE5POL: Health Policy Development and Implementation
Assessment 2: Policy position statement
Assignment type Policy position statement
Weighting 25%
Word count / length 1250 words (+/–10%)
SILOs 1, 2, 3, 4
Due date Sunday at the end of Week 5, 23.59 (Melbourne time*)
*For current Melbourne time, please check information under the Assessment tile in the LMS of this subject.

Topic overview
Prepare a policy position statement on a chosen topic, suitable for adoption by the PHAA.

Assessment criteria
This assessment will measure your ability to:

Prepare a plain-English summary of the key message of the policy position, suitable for a general readership (10%)
List all the relevant principles underpinning the proposed policy position (10%)
Use relevant and credible evidence to support the analysis and arguments (30%)
List credible, realistic, and feasible actions to advance policy in this area (30%)
Produce a well-structured and well-written position statement with excellent spelling and grammar (10%)
Make effective use of the relevant literature, citing all references correctly in APA7 style (10%)
Guidelines
Prepare a policy position statement on a chosen topic, suitable for adoption by the PHAA.

Choose an emerging public health topic from the list below, and prepare a position statement describing a policy position for the PHAA. Your choice of topics is:

Regulation of recreational cannabis
Pricing of alcohol
Pharmaceutical marketing to health professionals
Basic income guarantee
Exposure to bushfire smoke
Human papillomavirus screening
Menopause
Pelvic floor disorders
Transvaginal mesh
Work–life balance for women as carers
Food fiscal policy
(You may also propose another topic of interest to you, as long as it is notalready covered by a policy position statement on the PHAA website. Discuss with your tutor before you proceed, to ensure the topic is suitable.)

Your position statement should be concise and use jargon-free language suitable for a public statement, but must also be evidence-based, with all references cited, so that it can also provide a professional resource for public health personnel. Read over the existing position statements on the PHAA website (https://www.phaa.net.au/advocacy-policy/policy-position-statements).phaa.net.au/advocacy-policy/policy-position-statements) for examples of the format and structure required.

Presentation

Prepare your statement as a Word document (1250 words +/– 10%), using the structure and format outlined below (this is based on the PHAA guidelines for policy position statements, with some adjustments for the requirements of an academic assessment task). Make sure you provide references for all evidence, cited using the APA7 referencing style (rather than Vancouver style as used by PHAA). References are not included in the word count.

Your statement should include:

Title— this should be brief and informative
Key message— a single sentence summarising the main message of the policy statement in plain language suitable for the general The sentence may include up to three bullet points.
Summary— sums up the main points made in the policy (including what actions should be taken) in 2–4 sentences (also in plain English)
A preamble— this usually starts ‘The Public Health Association of Australia notes . . .’. This is followed by a numbered sequence of short, indented sentences or paragraphs that set the key background facts for the issue. This section must include at least 10 references to high-quality, current and reliable sources of evidence. While references may be used in other parts of the policy position statement, the preamble presents the evidence base underpinning the policy and must be referenced.
Affirmation of principles— this section should start with a sentence such as ‘The Public Health Association of Australia affirms the following principles:’. This should be followed by a numbered sequence of short, indented sentences.
Actions required— this section outlines what needs to be done to improve the situation and begins with ‘The Public Health Association of Australia believes that the following steps should be undertaken:’. This should be followed by a numbered sequence of short, indented sentences. This section should acknowledge current actions and strategies being undertaken by governments and others, and should indicate who should be responsible for undertaking the steps that are recommended.
PHAA’s action plan— this should be a set of clauses indicating what PHAA itself will do to advance the policy, starting with ‘The Public Health Association of Australia resolves to undertake the following actions:’. A numbered sequence of short, indented sentences should follow. Indication should be given on how and by whom the recommended action is to be carried through and when such actions are anticipated across the three-year life of the draft policy statement.Note that to recommend feasible actions for PHAA, you will need to do some background reading about PHAA to understand the role and structure of the organisation and how it operates.
There is no need to include the PHAA branding/logo on your policy position statement or to use the official template.

Note: PHAA’s guidelines for policy position statements have been adapted for the purpose of this assessment task. Where these assessment guidelines diverge from the guidelines provided by PHAA for preparing policy position statements, or from the format of previously published PHAA policy position statements, the assessment guidelines should be followed.

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Regulation of Recreational Cannabis: A Policy Position Statement

Key Message:
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) advocates for a comprehensive regulatory framework for recreational cannabis, based on evidence-based public health principles. Our policy position includes the following key points:

Regulating recreational cannabis can mitigate harms associated with its use.
Regulation should prioritize public health, harm reduction, and social equity.
Summary:
The PHAA recognizes the need for a well-designed regulatory framework for recreational cannabis. We propose a policy position that emphasizes evidence-based strategies to minimize harms and promote public health. Our recommendations include strict age restrictions, quality control, harm reduction programs, public education, and investment in research. We believe that effective regulation can balance personal freedom with societal well-being and equity.

Preamble:
The Public Health Association of Australia notes the growing interest and ongoing debates surrounding the regulation of recreational cannabis. It is essential to consider the potential impacts on public health, social equity, and harm reduction when formulating policy in this area. This policy position statement is based on a review of high-quality, current, and reliable evidence from various sources, including peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and expert opinions.

The Public Health Association of Australia affirms the following principles:
1.1. Public Health Approach: The regulation of recreational cannabis should adopt a public health approach, aiming to minimize harms and promote overall well-being.
1.2. Harm Reduction: Policies should prioritize harm reduction strategies, including prevention, treatment, and support services, to minimize the negative consequences associated with cannabis use.
1.3. Evidence-Based Decision Making: Policymaking should be grounded in robust evidence, informed by scientific research and public health expertise.
1.4. Social Equity: Regulatory frameworks should address social inequities, with particular consideration given to vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by cannabis-related harms.
1.5. Collaboration: Policymakers, public health professionals, and relevant stakeholders should collaborate to develop and implement effective regulatory measures.
Actions Required:
The Public Health Association of Australia believes that the following steps should be undertaken to improve the regulation of recreational cannabis:

Implement Strict Age Restrictions: Establish a minimum legal age for purchasing and consuming recreational cannabis, consistent with evidence on brain development and potential harms.
Quality Control Measures: Develop robust quality control standards for cannabis products, ensuring accurate labeling, standardized potency, and testing for contaminants.
Public Education and Awareness: Implement comprehensive public education campaigns to increase awareness of the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use, targeted at both users and non-users.
Harm Reduction Programs: Allocate resources to support evidence-based harm reduction strategies, including prevention, early intervention, treatment services, and harm reduction programs tailored to specific populations.
Research and Surveillance: Invest in research to better understand the impacts of recreational cannabis use on public health, including short-term and long-term effects, patterns of use, and associated harms.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness of regulatory measures, identify emerging trends, and inform evidence-based adjustments to the framework.
PHAA’s Action Plan:
The Public Health Association of Australia resolves to undertake the following actions to advance the policy on the regulation of recreational cannabis:

Advocate for Evidence-Based Policy: Engage in ongoing advocacy efforts to promote evidence-based approaches to recreational cannabis regulation at national, state, and local levels.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration with key stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, community organizations, and public health professionals, to shape and implement effective regulatory measures.
Policy Guidance and Resources: Develop policy guidance documents and resources to support public health professionals in navigating the complexities of recreational cannabis regulation.
Capacity Building: Facilitate professional development opportunities and training programs for public health professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills