News & Events
Much of our work involves measuring the difference others make. Getting involved and making our own difference is also an important part of who we are as individuals and as an organization.
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) that is native to Southeast Asia. Products prepared from kratom leaves are available in the U.S. online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Kratom is often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal, with regular kratom users self-reporting using less than 6g of botanical kratom per consumption, per several recent studies.
There is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury and, therefore, dietary supplements that are or contain kratom are adulterated under section 402(f)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act. CCR is providing a free webinar about Kratom on February 17th.
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San Diego is seeing an increase in Nitrous Oxide use. District Attorney Summer Stephan issued a public safety warning about a concerning rise in DUI cases involving nitrous oxide, also known as “whippets,” after an uptick in fatal crashes in San Diego County. In an 11-month span since October 2024, prosecutors filed charges in three fatal DUI cases involving the use or suspected use of the gas — a stark contrast to the previous year, which saw zero such cases, according to the DA’s office.
The training on January 29th will discuss this emerging trend.
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Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month highlights the importance of evidence-based treatment and recovery support for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
This month focuses on reducing stigma—especially around medications for treatment—encouraging people on their recovery journey, and promoting best practices like screening, early intervention, and comprehensive care.
Treatment works. Recovery is possible. Support makes a difference.
#TreatmentMonth #EndStigma #RecoveryIsPossible #SAMHSA #PublicHealth
Link to SAMSHA Toolkit for social media.
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Cannabis is now a Schedule 3 drug and what that means.
What this changes for cannabis -
1. Cannabis will no longer be treated as having “no medical value” Schedule I status says a drug has no accepted medical use. Schedule III explicitly recognizes medical use, aligning federal law more closely with state medical programs.
2. Major tax relief for legal cannabis businesses (end of IRS 280E) Currently, because cannabis is Schedule I, businesses cannot deduct normal business expenses. Schedule III would eliminate 280E for cannabis, allowing deductions like rent, payroll, marketing, etc.
3. Still federally controlled — not legalization. Cannabis would remain illegal for recreational use at the federal level. DEA regulation would still apply. Interstate commerce would still be illegal.
4. FDA oversight becomes more relevant. Medical cannabis products could face greater FDA scrutiny, especially around: Manufacturing standards, Labeling, Medical claims, this could favor larger, more standardized operators.
5. Research becomes easier with fewer regulatory barriers for clinical research. More universities and hospitals could study cannabis without Schedule I restrictions. What would not change, State laws stay the same (legal states remain legal; illegal states remain illegal). No automatic expungement or release for cannabis convictions. No federal recreational legalization.
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CCR was awarded an Elevate Youth Grant in early 2025. The Voices Rising college age youth mentor program was than designed and developed by CCR. Fourteen young adults completed the full training program, mentor sessions, and community project development and implementation. Participants represented diverse campuses, backgrounds and demonstrated strong commitment to learning, leadership, and substance use prevention. See link for a one year review of the projects.
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