2/20/2015

Marijuana Facts & Myths PARENT VERSION

What Does the Science & Research Say?

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Increased Potency Since the 1970s, marijuana increased  in potency from .04% to over 12%

0.4 1970

1.5 1980

4.7

5.4

1990

2000

11.0

2010

12.55 2013

Source: Mehmedic et al., (2010) Source: Potency Monitoring Program. Quarterly Report Number 123, National Center for Natural Products Research at Univ. of Mississippi, under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse & Rocky Mountain HIDTA 2014 Report

Not the Same Old Pot…

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Marijuana is Addictive Adults

1 in 10 adults  who try marijuana  become addicted. 

Adolescents

1 in 6 adolescents  who try marijuana  become addicted.  Rates go up to 25‐50% among  daily users.

Source: Anthony, J.C., Warner, L.A., & Kessler, R.C. (1994); Giedd. J. N., 2004

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Harmful Effects It affects parts of the brain responsible for: • memory,  • learning attention,  • and reaction time.  Increased risk of mental illness: • Schizophrenia (6 fold) • Psychosis • Depression • Anxiety

Source: Giedd. J.N., 2004

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Limits Future Performance  Significant negative effects on IQ  and learning  Linked to low productivity and low  job performance

Source: Meier, M.H., et al., 2012; MacLeod, J., et al., 2004. 

Marijuana and Violence?

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Gateway Drug Not all marijuana users go on to  other drugs but many other drug  users started with marijuana. The adolescent brain (12 – 25 yr olds) is especially susceptible to  marijuana use. 

What is Happening  here in  New Jersey? 

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Medical Marijuana in NJ  New Jersey became the 14th State to pass Medical   Marijuana in January 2010   According to the Department of Health’s Medical   Marijuana Program Annual Report 2013:   6 Dispensaries (Secausus, New Brunswick,   Montclair, Manalapan, Bellmar, Burlington)  Push for full legalization by national organizations  like the Drug Policy Alliance.

Recently in New Jersey

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Drug Use Among HS Students NJ HS Student Lifetime Use Trends 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2001

2005

2009 Marijuana

Alcohol

2011

2013

Cigarettes

Source: YRBS

NJ Adolescent Treatment Admissions 2012 Treatment Admissions by Primary Drug Ages 18 and under Other Opiates 3% Heroin 3%

Sedatives Other 0% 2% Alcohol 11% Cocaine 1%

Marijuana  80%

Data source: NJSAMS download, February 2013

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NJ Adolescent Treatment Admissions (2009-2012)

NJ Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions by Primary Drug ‐ Ages 18 and under 3500 3000

# of Admissions

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

Alcohol

Cocaine

Marijuana 2009

2010

Heroin 2011

Other Opiates

Sedatives

Other

2012

Data source: NJSAMS download, February 2013

What does Legalization Look Like?

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Legalization = Public Promotion

Promotion & Sale of Edibles Brownies, carrot cake, cookies, peanut butter,  granola bars, ice cream… Marketed with cartoons and characters appealing  to children.

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Risk Factors of Drug Use • • • • •

Early First Use Low Perception of Risk (Health Risks & Consequences) Availability  Social Norm Favorable Attitudes Regarding Use (Parental/Peer Use)

‘Big Marijuana’

Can we trust companies  and Big Corporations not  to target youth and the  vulnerable?

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Myths & Truths about Legalization

Decriminalization vs. Legalization

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How Many Are Jailed for Simple Possession?

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Legalization Alcohol‐related arrests

Less Arrests Marijuana‐related Arrests

(only Liquor Law & DUI)

3.1 million

750,000

*Source: ONDCP 2011 **Source: FBI (UCR) 2011

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Is Alcohol and Tobacco legalization an effective model?

Alcohol and Tobacco: A Model?

 Both industries promote addiction and target kids  Youth alcohol use is  much higher than marijuana  Since medical marijuana and  legalization discussions,  marijuana is starting to exceed  tobacco use among youth.

Source:  Schiller JS, Lucas JW, Peregoy JA. Summary  health statistics for U.S. adults: National  Health Interview Survey, 2011. National  Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health  Stat 10(256). 2012. Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention. Vital Signs: Current Cigarette  Smoking Among Adults Aged ≥ 18 Years— United States, 2005–2010. Morbidity and  Mortality Weekly Report  2011;60(33):1207–12 

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Alcohol & Tobacco: Money Makers or Dollar Drainers? Costs

Tax Revenue $200 billion

 $200,000,000,000.00

$185 billion

 $150,000,000,000.00

 $100,000,000,000.00

 $50,000,000,000.00 $25 billion $14 billion  $‐

Alcohol

Tobacco 27

Who Will We Listen to This Time? 1964:

Today: MARIJUANA IS MEDICINE/SAFE:

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Reducing Perception of Risk

National Marijuana Use vs. Risk

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Increased Use Among Teens

If pot is medicine and  allowed by the state,  then it must be  safe to use.

In states with medical  marijuana law, youth  (12‐17) marijuana use  rates are 8.6% compared  to 6.9% in states without  such laws In states with medical  marijuana laws,  adolescents’ perception of  the harmful effects of  marijuana have  significantly decreased.

Source: Wall, M., et al., 2011; Johnston, L.D., et al., 2011.

Past Month Usage by 12 ‐17 Year Olds in Medical Marijuana States  2012 Legal Medical Marijuana States 14.00

12.00

10.00

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00

Source: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2013

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National Marijuana Use vs. Risk

Marijuana Surpasses Cigarette Use

Source:  The Monitoring the Future Study, University of Michigan

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Marijuana Surpasses Cigarette Use

Source:  The Monitoring the Future Study, University of Michigan

Will Legalizing Marijuana Eliminate the Cartels and Black Market?

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Stronger, Cheaper, Younger There will continue to be…  A market for stronger strains and different compounds to 

get a “better high” than provided through legal products.  Interest in cheaper costs that avoid taxes and retail prices.  Youth under 21 years of age that want to buy marijuana. 

Cartels and the Black Market: • Marijuana = Only 15 – 25% of business • $$$ Human trafficking and Other Drugs • Illicit sales to youth and adults will remain

Legalization would not deter            these groups from operating. 

Source: Kilmer, B., et al., 2010

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What has happened in Washington and Colorado?

Colorado 2001-2012 •Passed medical marijuana in 2001 •But no dispensaries until the mid‐2000s •Medical marijuana cardholders rose from  1,000 to over 108,000 (2006 and 2012) •The # of dispensaries rose from 0 to 532

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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Are they REALLY serving the sick and dying??

Marijuana Related Exposures

Source: Rocky Mountain Poison Center and American Association of Poison Control Centers, Annual Reports

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Colorado Increases in… Increased % in marijuana‐related ER visits (2006‐09 vs. 2010‐13) Fatalities with drivers testing positive for marijuana (DUI) rose by  112% from 2006 to 2011 64% increase operators testing positive for marijuana from pre MM  commercialization and post MM commercialization of total fatalities. Drug‐related referrals from Denver high school students testing  positive for marijuana increased over 150% Colorado has 23% of its users consume nearly daily compared to  17% nationally.  That is 35.29% higher.

Source: Rocky Mountain HIDTA, 2013

What is the Answer?

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Do We Agree?  Youth and adults should not be put in jail for simple  possession.  We don’t want to create another Big Tobacco Industry  that will promote marijuana to our youth and disparate  communities.  We don’t want our youth to have marijuana available to  them or to start using marijuana.  Research is showing that there are some medicinal  benefits to components of marijuana and more research  is needed with FDA Regulations.

Teachers… Teach their students about the dangers of  marijuana use Discuss the political elements of this debate Provide a clear message that marijuana use is  unacceptable Talk about the industry’s manipulation of their  messages just like tobacco Understand the signs and symptoms and get help  if your child needs it

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Prevention Works! Reduce  Availability

Link  people in  need to  treatment

Change  Social  Norms

Provide  early  screening  & support

Increase  Perception  of Risk

Treatment Works!

Marijuana is addictive. Addiction is a disease Early screening and intervention can  save lives and money Evidence‐based treatment does work

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www.learnaboutsam.com

Co Founded by: Patrick Kennedy & Kevin Sabet

Fact-Finding Resources DATA RESOURCES

MARKETING THE MESSAGE

NIDA (drugabuse.gov/drugs‐abuse/marijuana)

Smart Approaches to Marijuana  (learnaboutsam.org)

CADCA (cadca.org)

Parents Opposed to Pot  (poppot.org) & (Facebook) Don’t Be A Lab Rat  (dontbealabrat.com)

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Thank you

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