Most consumers are confused about the safety and quality standards of cannabis products

Through Vuk Zdinjak

A new nationwide study reveals consumer confusion over U.S. standards for the safety and quality of cannabis products, revealing that there is a widespread, inaccurate assumption that cannabis products have the same basic protections found for food, drugs, and cannabis Personal care products in the US apply

The national study was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of SICPA, a leading provider of regulatory compliance solutions, and the Foundation of Cannabis Unified Standards (FOCUS) among over 2,000 US adults. Results include:

Via Anton Petrus/Getty

• Almost three quarters of Americans overall (72%) and 80% of American cannabis users believe cannabis products are grown and manufactured to consistent product safety standards (regardless of which state they were legally purchased in).
• More than four in five Americans overall (81%) and 84% of cannabis users agree that businesses licensed to grow and manufacture cannabis products must meet consistent environmental standards, regardless of location.
• More than three-quarters of Americans overall (77%) and 81% of cannabis users believe cannabis employers maintain the same health and safety standards for their workers as any other industry.

“Our new survey shows that Americans are grossly misinformed about the lack of basic safety and quality protections for cannabis products in many states,” said Karen Gardner, chief marketing officer, SICPA US. “Even cannabis users themselves are unaware that there are no consistent standards in states where products are legal, leaving a lot of room for unsafe, poor-quality products on the market.”

RELATED: What Is TAC, and Why Should You Care About It With Your Cannabis Products?

The SICPA Harris survey also polled opinions that the federal government should set standards for cannabis products. A staggering 84% of Americans overall and 84% of cannabis users support establishing federal product safety and quality standards for cannabis products manufactured or sold in the United States. Likewise, 83% of Americans overall and 83% of cannabis users support the federal government setting standards for environmental protection that the US cannabis industry must meet in the United States

The poll showed that there is also strong support among Americans for the decriminalization and/or legalization of cannabis products. Nearly three in four (74%) Americans overall and nearly four in five (79%) cannabis users support decriminalization, and more than three in four Americans (78%) and a large majority (86%) of cannabis users support legalizing cannabis national level.

The SICPA Harris Poll also measured cannabis use among Americans and found that 55% of Americans have used cannabis products at some point, with more than two in five (42%) reporting that they have used cannabis products in the past 12 months , and 16% reported using cannabis products for the first time in the past 12 months.

RELATED: Researchers shocked at how few studies have been conducted on medical marijuana

This is the third SICPA The Harris Poll on cannabis; in February, the second survey showed overwhelming support among cannabis users for more detailed information about the products they use. The first poll, released last fall, showed widespread support among Americans for securely labeling cannabis products to verify their legitimacy and safety in the marketplace.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.