Special Populations and Community Education

Cannabis affects people differently based on age, health status, and life circumstances. OCM provides specific education materials for certain populations, and retailers are expected to handle these interactions carefully and consistently.

Retail staff must provide neutral, factual information and rely on state-issued materials. Medical advice and personal opinions are not permitted.

What This Covers

Public education responsibilities for retailers
Use of OCM-approved educational materials
Guidance boundaries when speaking with special populations
Population-specific considerations under OCM guidance

Public Education Requirements

Public education is a compliance obligation.

Retailers may be required to:
- Post OCM-approved education materials
- Make materials available to customers upon request
Staff must:
- Avoid medical advice or therapeutic recommendations
- Avoid unsupported health or safety claims
- Refer customers to official OCM resources
Health-related questions must be answered using neutral, factual language only

State-issued materials must be used when addressing sensitive or health-related topics.

Veterans

Veterans may ask questions related to access, eligibility, or general information.

Common topics include:
- Program structure
- Certification pathways
- Legal status
Retailers must:
- Avoid advising on medical use, treatment, or outcomes
- Provide factual, compliance-based information only
- Refer to OCM-issued veteran education materials

SEE-related questions involving veterans must be answered factually without interpretation.

Older Adults

Older adults may face increased risks due to age or existing conditions.

Considerations include:
- Medication interactions
- Increased sensitivity to dosing
- Balance, coordination, or cognition concerns
Retailers must:
- Avoid health or dosing recommendations
- Provide access to OCM educational resources
- Keep responses neutral and non-clinical

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

OCM guidance is explicit on this topic.

Cannabis use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended
Retailer responsibilities include:
- Knowing the content of OCM guidance
- Displaying required signage or fact sheets, if applicable
- Referring customers to official state materials

Retailers may not discuss risk, safety, or outcomes beyond what OCM states.

Parents, Mentors, and Youth Education

Adults may ask how to discuss cannabis with minors or how youth use is treated under the law.

Key points include:
- Youth cannabis use remains illegal
- Youth use carries increased risks
Retailers must:
- Avoid personal advice or opinion
- Use only official OCM educational content
- Direct customers to youth-focused resources

What Operators Usually Miss

Education duties are part of compliance
Medical advice is never permitted
Official materials must be used for sensitive topics
Verbal guidance is regulated just like signage

When This Comes Up

Customer questions about health or risk
Required posting reviews during inspections
Staff training and onboarding
Community engagement inquiries

What Happens If You Ignore This

Compliance citations
Required corrective action
Increased inspection scrutiny
Risk of enforcement for improper guidance