Pot Poster Boy to NORML Nemesis: What History Can Teach Us Robert L. DuPont, MD President Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. www.ibhinc.org

Long-Term Trends in Marijuana Use by High School Seniors, 1975-2015 Decriminalization The Parents’ Movement Medical Marijuana Legalization Monitoring the Future

Past Year Marijuana Use and Perceived Risk of Harm of Occasional Use Among High School Seniors, 1975-2015 Marijuana Use Perceived Risk of Harm Monitoring the Future

Past Month Use of Any Alcohol and Cigarettes by High School Seniors, 1975-20015 Alcohol Use Cigarette Use Monitoring the Future

A New Prevention Message “No use of alcohol, nicotine, marijuana and other drugs for reasons of health” Reflects the powerful research on the negative effects of these substances, not only on the body’s vital organs but also on the uniquely vulnerable adolescent brain This public health message of no-use is realistic: More Teens are Choosing Not to Use Any Substance

Abstaining from Illicit Drugs, Alcohol and Cigarettes – Lifetime 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade Monitoring the Future

The Major Public Health Issue It is not about marijuana; it is about drug use It is not about adult use, it is about youth use of alcohol, nicotine and marijuana – the three gateway drugs They are all “recreational pharmacology” and all are bad for the health, safety and success of youth 

What Is Needed An annual comprehensive scientific report on the consequences of marijuana use and marijuana legalization -- for “medical” and “recreational” purposes 

A Strategy to Assess the Consequences of Marijuana Legalization Calls for Congressional mandate with adequate funding Federal leadership, state reporting initiatives like those of the Rocky Mountain and Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) Recommends New Sustained Research Initiatives Reinstating Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) collecting Emergency Department data and Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) collecting drug test data from local arrestees Systematic testing of seriously injured drivers in at least six sites to collect evidence on the roles of marijuana, alcohol and other drugs in highway safety Ongoing study of the role of marijuana and other substance use on academic achievement and dropout using established national surveys and new studies. Urges private organizations and foundations to become involved Available at www.IBHinc.org

Adding a third drug legal for adults? The United States is leading the world down this road The two currently legal drugs are two of the nation’s leading causes of preventable illness and death Adding a third drug will not reduce the use of alcohol or tobacco; legalization of marijuana will increase their use

Illicit Drug and Marijuana Use Greater Among Smokers and Drinkers Aged 12-17 Not surprisingly, illicit drug, marijuana and tobacco use are also more prevalent among alcohol users National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2013)

Thank You!

Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. IBH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that develops strategies to reduce drug use For more information and resources, visit the IBH websites: www.IBHinc.org www.StopDruggedDriving.org www.PreventTeenDrugUse.org www.PreventionNotPunishment.org