Impact of legalization on the rocky mountain state

The Social ExperimentImpact of Marijuana Legalization on Society

Marijuana HistoryFirst recorded reference 2737 BC by Chinese Emporor Shen NungUsed as intoxicantAlso used as medicine gout, rheumatism and absent-mindednessIndia Muslims used it as intoxicantAlcohol is forbidden in the KoranReached Europe in 500 ADHashish introduced in 12th Century Iran and Central Africa

Introduced by the Spanish in 1611Used as cash crop (hemp)1920s caught on in U.S.Jazz clubs and tea padsReefer songsMarijuana was not considered a social threat

Marijuana in the US

Funded by a church group68 minutes longAll smoke marijuanaPedestrian killedPre-marital sexAttempted rapeFriends kill one anotherInsanityPut in criminal asylumEnd of movie This could happen to your son and your daughter, etcTELL YOUR CHILDREN!Reefer MadnessThe Movie - 1936

What Happened Next?1937 Marijuana Tax ActUptick in marijuana useProhibitive tax on cultivationMade federally illegal in a sense

Marijuana 1970s and 1980s DEA createdSchedule I drug by President Nixon11 states decriminalized1972 War on Drugs President Nixon1976 national parents group organizations targeted marijuana1986 Just Say No by Nancy Reagan

The New Reefer Madness?

Marijuana Today23 States Legalized for Medicine10 States CBD2 Recreational MarijuanaMarijuana ChangesHigher THC 3% in 1970s and 1980sTHC Now Average 12%EdiblesDabbing/WaxMarijuana Status (Medicinal)- 23 States and DCCalifornia 1996Alaska 1998Oregon 1998Washington 1998Maine 1999Colorado 2000Hawaii - 2000Nevada 2000Montana 2004Vermont 2004Rhode Island 2006New Mexico - 2007

Michigan 2008Arizona 2010DC 2010New Jersey 2010Delaware 2011Connecticut 2012Massachusetts - 2012Illinois 2013New Hampshire 2013Maryland 2014Minnesota 2014New York - 2014

Marijuana Status (CBD) - 10 StatesAlabamaFloridaIowaKentuckyMississippiMissouriSouth CarolinaTennesseeUtahWisconsin

Cannabidiol MedicationsChildren with Seizure IssuesCharlottes Web (Charlotte Figi)Epidiolex (GW Pharmaceuticals)Mixed Success with EpidiolexScant results with Charlottes WebEpilepsy Foundation Need for more testingGeorgia HB885 failedGW Pharmaceuticals and Georgia Regents

Marijuana Status (Recreational)ColoradoWashington

How Much Can I Possess Legally?ColoradoWashingtonColorado January 1, 20142 oz. patient/1 oz. citizen oz. visitor/non-citizenInfused products cant contain nicotine or alcoholCan make multiple visits daily.25% tax rate136 storesCan give it away to a person.Can grow your own (3 plants)Medical can switch to recreational shopsCould have it deliveredSmoke in homes, including front porchWashington July 8, 20141 oz. any person16 oz. solid infused product72 oz. liquid infused productNo language on alcohol/nicotine25% tax at each level334 storesCant give it awayCant grow itMedical may disappearCould have it deliveredSmoke in home or clubs25% of hotel rooms can be marijuana rooms.HIDTAQualifying CriteriaSignificant center of illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation, or distribution;State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the problem;Drug-related activities in the area are having a significant harmful impact in the area and in other areas of the country; andA significant increase in allocation of Federal resources is necessary to respond adequately to drug related activities in the area.

Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) REPORT

Created to:Utilize a comparison of 3 different eras in Colorados legalization history2006-2008: Early medical marijuana era2009-2012: Medical marijuana expansion era2012 present: MM expansion and recreational use eraRocky Mountain HIDTA ReportSubjects covered:Driving FatalitiesColorado Youth Marijuana UseColorado Adult Marijuana UseColorado Emergency Room Marijuana AdmissionsDiversion of Colorado Marijuana (General)Diversion of Colorado Marijuana (In the mail)Colorado HIDTA ReportColorado serves as experimental labWanted to look at validity of pro-pot claims:Eliminate arrestsFree up law enforcement resourcesReduce traffic fatalities alcohol to marijuanaNo increase in use tightly regulatedAdded revenueReduce profits for the cartelsGreen rush?2000-20082009-Present5,993 patient applications4,800 cardholdersNo retail storesRegulations of five patients per caregiverOnly 55% designated a caregiverEnd of 2009, 38,000 additional applications.41,000 cardholders2012 532 licensed dispensaries2012 108,000 patients94% of cardholders for severe painDenver - More dispensaries than pharmacies or liquor storesColorado Department of Public Health rule was determined by a Denver District judge that the 5 patient to caregiver rule violated the states open meeting requirement and the rule was overturned in late 2007. Opened it up for an unlimited number of patients, thus dispensaries. Dispensaries didnt open because of the fear from the federal government. However, on October 19, 2009, General David Ogden issued what was referred to as the Ogden memo federal resources would not be spent to combat state laws on medical marijuana. Dispensaries were now going to be opened without fear of federal interference. 20Section 1: Car Crashes and FatalitiesOverall Nationally:2009 - 32,367 traffic fatalitiesLowest level since 1949Down almost 2%Traffic crashes in 2010 2,239,000 injuredTraffic crashes in 2011 2,217,000 injured2002 2,930,000 traffic injuries24% decreaseNHTSA and Federal Highway AdministrationCar crashes and fatalitiesFederal Highway Administration estimates:Per person costs (medical and lost productivity):$3.2 million cost per traffic fatality$68,700 cost per traffic crashCar crashes and fatalitiesNationally, alcohol-related traffic fatalities down 2.5% (10,136 to 9,878)Alcohol-related driving accounts for 31% of all traffic fatalities

Common theme

What others sayNIDA - After alcohol, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, is the substance most commonly found in the blood of impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims.British Medical Journal - Drivers who smoke marijuana within a few hours of driving are almost twice as likely to get into an accident as sober drivers. Teen driversLiberty Mutual/SADD survey19% admitted to driving after smoking marijuana36% - marijuana smoking no distraction while driving34% who admitted to smoking while high said it made them a better driverDUID Marijuana Detected2009 791 THC positives2010 1489 THC positives2011 2030 THC positives

Source Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment

Colorado hidta report fatalities2007-2012 Traffic fatalities decreased 14%2007-2012 Traffic fatalities involving drivers testing positive for marijuana increased 100%In 2007, Colorado traffic fatalities involving operators testing positive for marijuana represented 7.04 percent of the total traffic fatalities. By 2012, that number more than doubled to 16.53 percent

Fatalities Involving Operators Testing Positive for Marijuana

Colorado HIDTA report - Fatalities2006 positive for pot -28% of fatal vehicle crashes involving drugs2011 positive for pot 56% of fatal vehicle crashes involving drugs

HIDTA Report StatsColumbia University School of Public Health car crash is 2.7 times higher for pot usersNHTSA (2009) more people driving on weekends under the influence of marijuana (8.3%) compared to alcohol (2.2%)

Section 2 Marijuana and Youth

Youth Risk Behavior Study (CDC - 2011) More kids said they have smoked marijuana (23%) than cigarettes (18%)Youth perception of marijuana"It is harmless and natural, it is only an herb, and it won't affect me long-term""It is not addictive""It doesn't hurt me as much as smoking tobacco""It makes me feel calm""It doesn't affect my thinking or my grades""It's safe because it is used as medicine for cancer and other diseases"Youth Marijuana Use

Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico & VermontYouth Marijuana Use Age 12-17

Marijuana Colorado ExpulsionsIs marijuana harmful to youth?Memory lossDistorted perceptionTrouble with thinkingProblem solving issuesLoss of motor skillsIncreased hearth rate2013 study Higher stroke risk

Harmful to youth? recent studiesMarijuana is addictiveNew Zealand study 8 point IQ lossSchizophrenia and psychosis - Marijuana use during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of psychotic symptoms, while continued cannabis use may increase the risk for psychotic disorder in later life - Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands Mount Sinai StudyReview of 120 studies of youth marijuana useFindings include:Marijuana as a safe drug is scientifically inaccurateMore studies needed to accurately understand adolescent cannabis use on brain developmentAssociation between cannabis use and subsequent addiction to heavy drugsAssociation between cannabis use and psychosisOther genetic behaviors factor into later drug useSection 2 Colorado Youth Marijuana useUsed 30-day data and is classified as current useGrades 9-12 primary source of information for dataMost data was from 2006-2011Colorado youth marijuana useYouth ages 12-17National average of current use 7.55%Colorado average of current use 10.47%

If Denver Public High Schools were considered a state, that state would have the highest past month marijuana use rate in the US, behind New Hampshire.- Dr. Christian Thurstone, Denver Health Medical Center

Daily marijuana use 12th gradersNationalColorado6.6% reported using marijuana daily7.8% reported using more than 40 times per monthAnother 2.9% reported using between 20 and 39 times a month

Section 3 Colorado Adult Marijuana UseWho Cares?

Colorado adult useReasons that people say, Who Cares?Marijuana will stop senseless arrestsWhy do I care if someone smokes a little pot?Regulate it and tax it money for the stateStop arresting people for potPerceptionRealityPeople are arrested for having a joint in their pocket0.7% of all state inmates were behind bars for marijuana possession only (with many of them pleading down from more serious crimes).iIn total, one tenth of one percent (0.1 percent) of all state prisoners were marijuana-possession offenders with no prior sentences.The vast majority (99.8%) of federal prisoners sentenced for drug offenses were incarcerated for drug trafficking.Alcohol is responsible for 2.6 million arrests, a million more than for all illicit drugs combined.

Why do I Care if someone smokes a little pot?Addiction Services Maintain Healthy Lifestyle (Prevention, Treatment and Recovery) Business Bottom line and workforce safety issuesChildrens Services agencies Parent readiness and safety of child Colleges Financial aid and retention Education Testing requirements Law Enforcement Public safety and officer/employee issues Legislators Budget/jobs and then election-time issues

Positive results increased by 5.7% since 2011Marijuana most frequently for positive tests

ColoradoEstimated 15% of Colorados workforce is a current pot user (350,000 working adults)What pot means for business#1 reason for failed drug testScientific testing is undefined.How safe is your workforce?Crane operators, bus drivers, teachers, accountant, etc.

Marijuana compromises:Hand/eye coordinationCognitive judgmentPsycho motor reactions

What pot means for businessDrug Use Impacts:increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, productivity and job turnover3.6 times the accidents on the job5 times the accidents off the jobWhich then effects: BWC ratesInsurance coverageHR responsibilitiesRegulate it and tax itThe total overall costs of substance abuse in the U.S., including productivity, health and crime-related costs :$185 billion for alcohol$193 billion for tobaccoFederal ($9 billion) and state ($5.5 billion) alcohol taxes raise $14.5 billion.Federal and state tobacco taxes raise $25 billion.

Colorado adult marijuana usePast month marijuana use (26+)National average 4.8%Colorado average 8.19%2008 5.32%2011 8.19%54% increase in 3 years

Section 4 Colorado ER Admissions

Safety as proclaimed from above

Is safety only measured through Deaths?

Internet safetyWorkplace safetyDating safetyMarijuana can be dangerous for:Has anyone ever died from an overdose NO!However ChildrenAdultsPetsCan have real safety issuesColorado ER VisitsIsnt marijuana safe?Panic attacksFallsAccidentsDelusionsCannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome extreme stomach pain and violent vomitingCannabinoid Hyperemesis SyndromeIdentified in 2009Cannabis use for years and on a weekly basisBegan youngSymptomsSevere nausea and vomitingVomiting in cycle over a few monthsColicky abdominal painShort Term FixImmersion in hot waterLong Term FixQuit cannabis use

Dangerous for Fido?2012 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Marijuana toxicosis cases at two Colorado veterinary hospitals quadrupled during 2005-2009 Researchers reported two dogs died after eating baked goods containing marijuana.Falling over/uncoordinatedHallucinations with barking or agitationSeizures or even coma

marijuana er visits2009 Marijuana was involved in 376,467 ER visits (NIDA)Higher rates for malesOut of all illicit drugs, marijuana was most common in 18-20 year oldsAlcohol 658,263 (32% of all ER visits)Alcohol and marijuana combination 125,438 visitsColorado ER VisitsFrom 2011 through 2013, there was a 57 percent increase in marijuana-related emergency room visits. Hospitalizations related to marijuana have increased 82 percent from 2008 to 2013.

Colorado ER visits2006- 2009 comparison to 2010-20120-5: 200% increase 6-12: 60% increase13-14: 92% increase15-18: 7% increase18-25: 28% increase26+: 69% increasecommercialization

Remember me?Marijuana commercialization

Marijuana commercialization

Vending Machines

Meet ClaudeBlack Cherry Gummy BearTHC Infused100 milligrams of THC per bearColorado law 10 mg per servingFoot = one serving10 bears per bag

Colorado ER VisitsIn 2011, Marijuana-related incidents accounted for 26% of total ER visits. 2005 rate was 20%.2010 Ten month old twins ate marijuana infused trail mix.JAMA Pediatrics The consequences of unintentional marijuana exposure in children should be part of the ongoing debate on the legalization of marijuana.Section 6: colorado marijuana diversionAmendment 64:Amendment 64 would regulate marijuana and restrict its sale to licensed stores, as we currently do with alcohol.Under Amendment 64, marijuana sales will be conducted in a regulated market in which checks for proof of age are mandatory and strictly enforced.Section 6: Diversion of colorado MarijuanaTop States to Which Colorado Marijuana Was Destined in 2012:Kansas (37)Missouri (30)Illinois (22)Texas (18)Wisconsin (18)Florida (16)Nebraska (13)Iowa (10)

37 states were destined to receive Colorado weed!

Where is the regulation?54415758923212742005-2012 407% Increase in Interdiction SeizuresHow much was seized2005-2008 Average # of pounds seized: 2,220 pounds2009-2012 Average # of pounds seized: 3,937 pounds (77% increase)7,008 pounds seized in 2012Top three counties of marijuana originsDenver (141)Boulder (27)El Paso (24)Pounds of marijuana seizures1,6233,4163,7087,008Interdictions102 Pounds to Orlando, FLDispensary Owner Pays for Delivery Trips to Omaha476 Pounds Destined for WisconsinMarijuana Edibles Destined for Texas and OhioNeighboring States to Bill Colorado? How much is a pound of Marijuana?Marijuana.com54 joints per ounce16 oz. x 54 joints = 864

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Cheyenne county (NE) SheriffJohn Jensen claims legalizing marijuana in Colorado changed local drug trafficking in a way not seen in his 17 years of law enforcements.Now you have dispensaries, you have grow houses in neighboring states that are growing a much better product.Drug Runners

USPS

Colorado Diversions via the US Mail?United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Prohibited Mailing of Narcotics database (PMN) database.

Sgt. Brad Williams, Chicago Police Dept.At least 50% of everything I get is from one of those states where it is legal to grow (CO and CA)Officers seize at least one package coming from these states every day.Diverstions through the USPSDiversions through the usps5768Diversions through the usps10242923Top Ten destinationsIIlinoisTexasFloridaOhioMinnesotaMarylandIowaMassachusettsKansasVirginia

Contact informationTony CoderDrug Free Action Alliance6155 Huntley Road, Suite HColumbus, OH 43229tcoder@DrugFreeActionAlliance.org614-540-9985www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org/marijuana