Marijuana for “Newbies” Low THC soda –

Has Pot Become a Hard Drug? “When they talked about legalization in the 80s and 90s, they kept saying it was just like having a few beers and it was. Today, while advocates push the medicinal angle, the benign drug they’re defending has morphed into a heavy drug… However, a funny thing happened on the way to the courthouse. As the talk of decriminalization became more mainstream, the drug itself became more hardcore…I’m so high, in fact, that I no longer see legalization of marijuana as such a no brainer. The debate has shifted to, “Should we legalize a really, really heavy drug?” Gavin McInnes, Co-Founder Vice Magazine April

“Law enforcement from neighboring states agree, Colorado has strongest marijuana in the world.” By Garrison Wells April 14, 2014Garrison Wells marijuana-in-the-world/article/ #TxA0JLQJs0k7wobD.99 Most Potent in the World –

THC: Psychoactive Ingredient 4

Mass Producing and Packaging Potent Marijuana

“But it’s just a plant…” (80 to 90% THC) Concentrates “Shatter” Butane Hash Oil (BHO) “Budder” “Green Crack” Wax “Ear Wax” Hash Oil Capsules

They are not targeting kids?

Making Drug Use Appealing to Youth

Colorado Marijuana Edibles Number of different products registered by category: gummies -18 cereal - 7 cookies -18 soda - 6 juice -14 granola bars -12 chocolate bars -23

Perfect Storm Growing Nicotine and Marijuana Vaping World

“…offering cannabis consumers a stealthy, convenient way to get high in almost any location or situation.” High Times Magazine March 28, 2013 “…it will produce almost scentless vapor and can be hit easily in a bathroom or on the street.” The Ipod of Getting Baked, Rolling Stone, June 20, 2013

Merging of MJ and Nicotine Vapor World VooDoo e-pen Side of box – promoting its use with mj wax/oil– high THC Back of box – promoting its use with flavored e- juice

Vapor Danger Disguising marijuana vapor products to look like e-cigarettes

“But instead of dissolving nicotine into the liquid, users can dissolve drugs like methamphetamine, powdered cocaine, and synthetic drugs like bath salts, Wilson said. The vapor has little to no odor, making it hard for officials to detect, he added.” As e-cigarette popularity leaps, worries of illegal drug use follow Health Elizabeth Baier · Rochester, Minn. · Apr 28, 2014Health Elizabeth Baier Drug Delivery Device

It’s Not About Regulation and Safety It’s All About Commercialization $

Denver’s Disaster – More Marijuana Shops than Starbucks and McDonalds

Denver Commercializes While Youth Suffer  Use among Denver’s African American youth is almost 30% (29.6) and Caucasian Youth is 31%  Almost 40% of Denver’s Caucasian high school males are using and 33% of African American female high school students GradeMarijuana USMarijuana Denver 8 th 6.5%22.5% 9th17%23.8% 10th16.6%25.3% 12th21.2%30% Use among Denver’s African American youth is almost 30% (29.6) and Caucasian Youth is 31% Almost 40% of Denver’s Caucasian high school males are using and 33% of African American female high school students

Since Colorado began commercializing … we have seen increases in marijuana-related: DUID’s Child Poisonings Hospitalizations Hash Oil Explosions Calls to Rocky Mountain Poison Control Higher use rates among youth & young adults Illegal diversions (CO marijuana found in 40 states) Emergency room visits (highest among young adults) Drug-related suspensions/expulsions from schools (10 year high The Latest Report – Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area - April 2015

“The criminals are still selling on the black market. … We have plenty of cartel activity in Colorado (and) plenty of illegal activity that has not decreased at all.” Cynthia Coffman, Colorado Attorney General Between – Denver PD seizures of illegal marijuana increased 1000% - to more 8,000 pounds in 2014 Illegal Activity

Workplace Impact Jim Johnson said his company has encountered so many job candidates who have failed pre-employment drug tests because of their THC use … it is actively recruiting construction workers from other states Jim Johnson said his company has encountered so many job candidates who have failed pre-employment drug tests because of their THC use … it is actively recruiting construction workers from other states. GE Johnson “ ”

Workplace Impact

ER/Hospitalization Chart

 For every 1$ gained from alcohol and tobacco tax revenues, $10 is lost in legal, health, social, and regulatory costs* Drugs are money losers $$$$$$$$$$$ *Source: Urban Institute and Brookings Institute, 2012; Tax Policy Center, 2008 Who gets the burden? Families, employers, schools, healthcare system, taxpayers, and communities

 It’s not about helping others, social justice, community health and safety – IT’s all about mass merchandising and commercialization of marijuana (and setting the stage for creating access to other illegal drugs) It’s Another Smokescreen

 “The whole, of course, is safe and legal access to all drugs. Cocaine. Heroin. Hash. Ecstasy. You name it, Nadelmann wants people to have the right to get it, hold it, use it and even pass it in small quantities.” new-goal Beyond Marijuana

Silence is Harmful