marijuana and colorado youth inspiring minds february 3, 2014
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Marijuana and Colorado Youth
Inspiring Minds February 3, 2014
A volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to minimizing the negative consequences of legalized marijuana in Colorado, particularly for our youth.
Formed March 1, 2013, after Amendment 64 passed, in response to observation that marijuana policy was being dominated and driven by for-profit marijuana industry. We were concerned that the health, safety and well-being of Colorado youth were not being considered.
Concerned how increased marijuana commercialization will impact our communities, the state and our adolescents.
About Us
Today’s Marijuana in Colorado It is not like a marijuana joint of your youth
Extremely potent, THC levels 4 times higher than in 1980s, up to 35%
Smoking is only half of the story Brownies are so yesterday
Marijuana infused edibles include candies, cereals and sodas etc.
Marijuana concentrate is available highly potent, 75-90% THC I oz of concentrate = approx. 2800 servings of
marijuana Vaporized in electronic cigarettes, “dabbed”
Marijuana EdiblesHuge, multi-million dollar industry that is
growing, estimated 38% of the market Very few regulations and no limitations on
types that can be soldMade to be “palatable” and “discreet”Creates confusion with regular food and
accidental ingestionsMarketed to be attractive to adolescents Almost any food can become a marijuana
edible (candy, soda, chips etc…) Infused, sprayed or baked into food
A Candy Case in a StoreClick icon to add picture
Infused with Sugar and Fruit Flavors
The industry infuses childhood favorites
Kids breakfast cereal sprayed with marijuana concentrate
Even toddler’s food, goldfish, can become a marijuana edible
Increased visits to ER due to marijuana Children’s Hospital saw new category of patients
(children) being rushed to ER due to unintentional marijuana ingestion 2005-2009 there were 0 cases of admissions from accidental
marijuana ingestions After 2009, and rise of dispensaries, 14 reported emergencies at
Children’s Hospital*
ER visits throughout Colorado for marijuana related incidents involving youth 2005-2008 there were 741 cases per year, on average 2009-2011 increased to 800 cases per year**
*Wang, Rocky Mountain Poison Control and Drug, 2013**Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact, Rocky Mountain HIDTA Aug. 2013
High Potency ProductsTHC content continues to rise in ColoradoNetherlands saw first hand negative impact of increasing
THC levels. Levels above 15% correlated to: Unacceptable youth health risks from links to schizophrenia and
other psychotic disorders Higher addiction rates in both youth and adult population Increased accidents from marijuana use Increased crime Increased public nuisance complaints Negative pot tourism
ConcentratesNot legally sold to consumers anywhere else in
the world1 oz. equivalent to 2,800 servings (at
10mg/serving)1 oz. fits in a pants pocket1 oz. enough to provide marijuana to every
student at East High SchoolTourist can buy 700 servings at once – more
than they can consume in state
Wax Dabbing
Made to Be Hidden
Made to be HiddenClick icon to add picture
E-Cigarettes or Vaporizers
Marijuana The Next Big Tobacco Similarities between Big Tobacco, decades ago, and
today’s budding marijuana industry
Health claims on their product, despite associated risks Encouraging use at a young age to secure future
customers Making their product attractive to kids Safety claims contrary to science Influencing public policy through political pressure,
lobbying and funding political candidates Both industries now using the E-cigarettes
Big Tobacco Eyeing Big Marijuana “Those who think that the big alcohol, tobacco and
pharmaceutical companies aren’t watching states like Colorado very closely are fooling themselves.” Quote of a Colorado marijuana infused product manufacturer in The Westword, Ganjapreneurs in Colorado, Jan. 2, 2014.
“The use of marijuana ... has important implications for the tobacco industry in terms of an alternative product line. [We] have the land to grow it, the machines to roll it and package it, the distribution to market it.” From a report commissioned by cigarette manufacturer Brown and Williamson (now merged with R.J. Reynolds) in the 1970s.
Altria, the parent company of Phillip Morris, recently bought the web domain names: AltriaCannabis.com and AltriaMarijuana.com
Marijuana Use Highest Among 18-20
More high school students have smoked a joint (22%) than a cigarette (16%) in the last 30 days*
57% of high school students say it is easy or sort of easy to get marijuana*
More students see greater risk of harm from regular alcohol use than from regular marijuana use
42% of high school students perceive no or slight risk from regular marijuana use*
More students drove or rode with a driver after smoking marijuana than after drinking alcohol*
More high school students used marijuana on school grounds than alcohol*
*Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 2011-2012
Youth Marijuana Use In Colorado
Marijuana Use in the Past Month among Youths Aged 12 to 17
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Marijuana Use in the Past Year among Youths Aged 12 to 17,
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First Use of Marijuana among Youths Aged 12 to 17
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Medical Marijuana States Have Higher Youth Rates
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Medical Marijuana – Pathway to Kids?
4,528 medical marijuana card holders between 18-20* Many DPS high school students know someone with a
medical marijuana card:** 51% of 12th graders 45% of 11th graders 41% of 10th graders 36% of 9th graders
In the last Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 4% of surveyed DPS 11th and 12th graders had gotten marijuana from a marijuana card holder in the previous month
*Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Medical Marijuana Registry, 8/13/13
** Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2011-2012, Denver Public Schools
Youth Marijuana Use in Denver 1 in 10 DPS seniors are using marijuana on a daily or
near daily basis* 32% of DPS seniors have used marijuana in the last
month* 14% of DPS students tried marijuana before they were
13* 10% of DPS high school students have used marijuana
at school* 10% of DPS high school students have driven after
using marijuana**Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2011-2012
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Denver’s youth marijuana use higher than national average
Denver Ranks Above the Rest
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2011
“Pot Problems in Schools Increase with Legalization”Denver Post lead story 11/11/13
Marijuana Exposure Linked to Increased Use Examples of Increased Exposure
Billboard near Broncos stadium calling Marijuana “A Safer Choice” Denver doesn’t prohibit marijuana use in front yards 4/20 pot rally in Civic Center Park draws thousands and gets media coverage Denver County Fair adds a “Pot Pavilion” where pot plant, pot edibles,
homemade bongs will be judged, and a speedy joint-rolling contest will be held Denver Post adds marijuana-dedicated section called “The Cannabist”
As perception of harm goes down, use goes up* Studies show there is a direct correlation* 69% of DPS seniors perceive no or slight risk of harm from occasional
marijuana use** 61% of DPS seniors have ever used marijuana**
*Denver Office of Drug Strategy, Proceedings of Denver Epidemiology Work Group 3/1/13
** Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2011-2012
Commercialization of Marijuana in Denver 619 eligible medical marijuana facilities
217 shops (more than Starbucks or McDonalds) 365 cultivation facilities 37 marijuana infused products manufacturers
319 Retail Marijuana applications in Denver 123 retail shops, 27 licenses issued as of 1/10/14 168 cultivation facilities 25 marijuana infused products manufacturers 3 testing facilities
Potential to have 340 marijuana stores before 2016!
As of 1/10/14 Denver Excise and Licensing
Denver Retail Marijuana A public hearing is required before the issuance of any retail
store license Basis for denying a license:
Past violations of the Colorado marijuana code Effect on competition of granting second or additional licenses Previous operation in a manner adversely affecting public health,
welfare or safety of the immediate neighborhood Issuance of the license will adversely impact the health, welfare or
public safety of the neighborhood
Public hearing process is a farce: Only evidence of past criminal activity is admitted Public consumption across the street not relevant Neighborhood needs and desires not admitted Studies about harm to children not admitted State and city audits showing lax regulation not admitted
Commercialized Marijuana
and the Rest of Colorado
Amendment 64 gives municipalities the right to prohibit Marijuana Cultivation, Marijuana Product Manufacturing and Marijuana Testing Facilities and Retail Marijuana Stores
Time, place, manner and number of licenses is under local control
Municipal Regulation as of 1/10/14
85 prohibit retail marijuana27 permit retail marijuana33 have moratoria in place
Colorado Municipal League reports more than half (53.1%) of municipal actions
have prohibited retail marijuana. https://www.cml.org/uploadedFiles/CML_Site_Map/_Global/MMJ/
election_mmj_recreational.pdf
Impacts of Early Marijuana UseMarijuana affects adolescents differently than
adults due to brain development which continues until mid 20’s
Studies show marijuana can permanently change and damage teen brains*
Affects the hippocampus, critical for learning and memory, and the prefrontal cortex, governs complex decision making and analysis
Affects processing, impulsivity and memory*Meier, M.H., et al. Persistent Cannabis Users Show
Neuropsychological Decline From Childhood to Midlife, 2012.
Scientific StudiesEarly Marijuana Use Heavy youth marijuana users reduced their IQ levels as
much as 8 points* comparable to IQ reductions from early childhood lead
exposure cognitive declines affect chronic adult users as well, but are
more dramatic for teens Association with long-term psychological effects such as
psychosis and schizophrenia Even moderate cannabis use (weekly) increases risk for major
depression** Adolescents who use daily are 2.5 times more likely to
develop anxiety disorders*** Teens who use daily had more difficulty performing memory
tasks and had abnormal brain structure similar to schizophrenics.****
*Madeline H. Meier et al 2012**Fairman, B. J., & Anthony, J. C. 2012. Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Swain-Campbell, N.
2002*** Hall & Degenhardt 2012
****Smith, Cobia, et al., Schizophrenia Bulletin 2013
Marijuana Addiction 1 in 6 adolescents who use casually become addicted
vs. 1 in 9 adults* Withdrawal symptoms include:
Irritability, anger, aggression Anxiety Restlessness Weight loss Disturbed sleep, nightmares and strange dreams**
*Hall &Degenhardt, Adverse Health Effects of Non-medical Cannabis Use, 2009 **Budney et al, Health Consequence of Marijuana Use, 2004
**Bostwick 2012
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No Education Getting to Kids
Every district, school and health class does their own thing (if anything)
No standard information provided based on factual research and data
Marijuana education is lumped in with all “other drugs”
Materials don’t include the latest research on marijuana’s affect on the developing brain
Prevention and behavioral surveys have lost funding recently
Desperate Need to CounterMarijuana Messages
Sold to Our Kids
Marijuana is a benign, all-natural wellness product; an herb that is not harmful.
It is a cure-all that helps with ADHD, concentration, sleep issues, headaches, anxiety, depression, OCD, menstrual cramps
Marijuana use is an acceptable recreational activityThere is an increase in advertising reaching kids
on-line, in magazines and newspapers; even pot recipes in Denver Post
Marijuana is glorified and politicized
Hurdles to Data Collection
No one wants to get kids in trouble/ jeopardize college or future
Police, educators, school administrators, and parents - no one reporting usage
Schools/Districts fighting for limited public dollars don’t want appearance of “drug problem”
Colorado Implements Most Permissive Marijuana
Laws in the World
No meaningful limitations to commercialization production limits, caps on businesses, limit on number of licenses
issued
No limitations on THC strength, potency over 15% THC in the Netherlands is considered a hard drug like
heroin and cocaine
No limitations on types of edibles
Advertising and promotions restrictions not clear TV advertising permitted on primetime programs
Washington State is More Restrictive
Tries to limit commercialization by basing retail store count on population. Seattle only allowed 21 recreational marijuana shops,
compared to Denver, soon to be over 300 shops
Caps on overall marijuana production Prohibition on sale of marijuana concentrate to
consumers Much higher taxes (25% at wholesale; 25% at
distribution; 25% at retail) No home grows allowed Limits and restrictions on edibles
The Netherlands is More Restrictive
Never legalized commercial marijuana production Decriminalized small amounts of marijuana use Marijuana over 15% THC levels is treated as a
hard drug (i.e. heroin, cocaine) Limits on number of coffee shops that can sell
marijuana Local right to ban marijuana tourism (non-
resident purchases) Marijuana concentrates not for sale
SMART Colorado 2014 Legislative Initiatives
Aim to Protect Colorado Kids
Penalties, fines and suspensions that discourage marijuana establishments from selling to minors
Potency LimitsPublic awareness, education and science curriculum
Targeted at middle and high school students and the general public
Based on the latest scienceRestrictions on edibles and marijuana concentratesProper funding and structural support for data
collection
Smart Advocates For: Marijuana legalization should not mean uncontrolled
and unmonitored mass marijuana commercialization (as happened with medical)
Amendment 64 should not be implemented in a way that compromises the health and safety of Colorado youth
Cities and counties should opt out of, or strictly limit, marijuana commercialization in their communities in order to limit youth exposure, access and use
Everyday citizens and leaders from healthcare, education and business should have a voice in the policy making process
Smart Advocates For:Public Education
Campaign Informing youth and general public on true
impacts of marijuana on the brainUsing best practices from tobacco awareness
campaigns that dramatically lowered youth useUtilizing positive engagement practices and
principlesSocial media and youth to youth outreach
should play a significant role
Summary Visit us at www.smartcolorado.org to donate and for
more information Sign up to received updates about timely policy decisions
that impact Colorado youth Learn how early marijuana use impacts the still
developing adolescent brain Consider contacting your city council representative;
attend public hearings; testifying to voice your concerns Encourage your elected officials to protect our kids and
communities by limiting marijuana commercialization and implementing policies that reduce youth marijuana consumption
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