In this episode i speak to lawyer and legal academic Matthew Swinburne about the work he does at the university’s public health law clinic.
Cannabis legal information
Cannabis education of public healthcare employees
The university’s “Public Health Clinic” and how they help in cannabis legal issues.
Developing a cannabis curriculum.
Quality control in cannabis education
History, cannabis & education
Mathew Swinburne is the associate director for the Network for Public Health Law’s Eastern Region, which is housed at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
He brings more than 14 years of legal experience and specifically more than 10 years of public health law experience. He is a recognized national expert in cannabis law and policy. His cannabis work includes advising legislators, state and local agencies, law enforcement, community-based organizations, and non-profits on critical issues related to medical and adult-use policy.
In addition to his work at the Network for Public Health Law, he developed and taught the State and Federal Cannabis Law and Policy course for the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Program.
The course is one of the first of its kind in the country. He is also an attorney advisor for the Maryland Carey Law Public Health Law Clinic and has taught public health law and ethics for the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health.
In the year since Maryland legalized recreational marijuana for adults over 21, there has been a growing need for legal guidance to develop effective and equitable cannabis policies that will ensure product safety, educate users, and mitigate negative health impacts. The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) have responded by launching the Cannabis Legal Resource Center (CLRC).
Housed at Maryland Carey Law and led by cannabis law and policy expert Mathew Swinburne, the resource center will provide legal technical assistance to the Maryland state government as well as local governments, health departments, and community organizations. The work began in early spring when CLRC distributed a needs assessment survey to all 24 Maryland health departments to determine how cannabis is impacting their communities.
“With legalization, communities will likely face new public health challenges,” Swinburne said. “We’re here to help navigate the complex legal landscape, partner on solutions, and advocate for evidence-based policies that protect Marylanders’ health.”
Funded by MDH, the resource center will assist state and local health departments in developing effective public health policies around cannabis as well as educate Maryland policymakers on federal, state, and local laws and effective, science-based policies to address a wide range of public health issues.
“Funding the Cannabis Legal Resource Center is a significant step forward in our commitment to understand and address the public health implications of adult cannabis use legalization in Maryland,” said Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, deputy secretary for public health services. “This historic partnership will inform state and local cannabis policy, education, and public engagement strategies to protect the health and well-being of all Marylanders, especially our youth.”
In addition to providing legal technical assistance in areas such as health disparities, smoke-free environments, and federal and state regulations, the resource center will:
- Host webinars and a statewide cannabis law and policy conference
- Develop a resource toolkit and website
- Track cannabis- and hemp-related legislation in Maryland
CLRC expands the work of Maryland Carey Law’s Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy, which has been providing technical assistance to Maryland government agencies on tobacco control policies and laws since 2001.
https://www.law.umaryland.edu/content/articles/name-776470-en.html
