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 Edibles

Huge, multi-million dollar industry that is growing, estimated 38% of the market

Very few regulations and no limitations on types that can be sold

Made to be “palatable” and “discreet”

Creates confusion with regular food and accidental ingestions

Marketed 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 Products

THC content continues to rise in Colorado

Netherlands 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

Concentrates

Not legally sold to consumers anywhere else in the world

1 oz. equivalent to 2,800 servings (at 10mg/serving)

1 oz. fits in a pants pocket

1 oz. enough to provide marijuana to every student at East High School

Tourist 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 marijuana

27 permit retail marijuana

33 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 Use

Marijuana 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 Studies

Early 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 activity

There 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 Limits

Public awareness, education and science curriculumTargeted at middle and high school students and the general

publicBased on the latest science

Restrictions on edibles and marijuana concentrates

Proper 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 brain

Using best practices from tobacco awareness campaigns that dramatically lowered youth use

Utilizing positive engagement practices and principles

Social 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