A Research-Based Campaign to Educate All Sectors of the Community about the Dangers of Youth Marijuana Use

What Does the Data Tell Us About Youth Marijuana Use?

National Data Monitoring the Future Survey

Marijuana is Among the Most Commonly Abused Substances by Teens

Perception of Risk Monitoring the Future, 2012

Marijuana Use/Last 12 Months Monitoring the Future, 2012

Increased Access, Decreased Stigma, Increased Use Increased access and availability results in decreased perception of harm and increased use. Legalization has decreased marijuana’s stigma as a harmful drug, creating a more favorable perception among youth. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from

Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data (YRBS)

Ever Used Marijuana (Lifetime) YRBS 2011

Marijuana Why should we be concerned about our kids?

This is NOT the “pot” of the past. The potency of marijuana (concentration of THC) has more than doubled between 1993 and This increased potency may be a reason behind the surge in marijuana-related emergency room visits in recent years. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from

Marijuana Can "Open the Door" “Using alcohol, marijuana, and/or tobacco regularly, especially during the teen years, can open the door to the use of other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, (ecstasy, K2) and to prescription drug abuse during their lifetime.” ONDCP

Marijuana IS Addictive The EARLIER marijuana use begins, the HIGHER the risk of drug abuse and addiction. NIH 62% percent of teens in drug treatment are addicted to marijuana. ONDCP Each year, more teens enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana addiction than for all other illegal drugs combined. Partnership for a Drug-Free America

The Teen Brain & Marijuana SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

The Teen Brain & Memory The hippocampus is the part of the brain that forms memories. The THC in marijuana negatively affects how the hippocampus processes information and forms memories. NIDA.

Academic Performance Marijuana Use: Negatively affects learning A teen who uses is 4 times more likely to report “D” grades. SAMHSA Is linked to higher dropout rates A teenage marijuana user is 2 times more likely to drop out of school than a non-user. NIDA

Marijuana use can worsen depression and has been associated with other serious mental health issues, e.g. schizophrenia and anxiety Weekly use of marijuana DOUBLES a teen’s risk of depression and anxiety. NIDA Marijuana & Mental Health

Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Heart Increases heart rate 20 – 100% shortly after smoking. This could last up to 3 hours. 4.8x greater risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking. Marijuana & The Body NIDA

Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Lungs Marijuana smoke contains 50 – 70% more cancer causing chemicals then tobacco smoke. Regular use can create respiratory problems (cough, phlegm, acute chest illnesses, greater risk of lung infection) over time. Marijuana & The Body NIDA

Marijuana & Driving Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims CADCA National Highway Traffic Association, Drug Involvement of Fatally Injured Drivers, US Dept. of Transportation, 2010 According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, drivers who tested positive for marijuana in fatal car crashes DOUBLED between 2006 and CADCA Colorado Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) August, 2011

Marijuana & Employment Many companies, industries, and professions require drug testing to be hired and/or drug testing while employed. Job applications often ask if someone has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, including drug offenses. The nearly 7% of the high school seniors that already smoke marijuana on a daily basis would fail a pre-employment drug test. CADCA

Marijuana & Youth Nora Volkow, M.D. Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse “Regular marijuana use in adolescence is known to be part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person’s life—thwarting his or her potential.” “Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc. “

Marijuana & Youth Nora Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse “Given the current number of regular marijuana users (about 1 in 15 high school seniors) and the possibility of this number increasing with marijuana legalization, we cannot afford to divert our focus from the central point: regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success—in school and in life.”

Effects of the Normalization and Legalization of Marijuana

Diminishing Perception as a Harmful Drug Due to recent legalization efforts, marijuana’s stigma as a harmful drug is diminishing, creating a more favorable perception among youth. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from

27 Medical Marijuana and Teens

Drug Use - The Cost to Society Total overall cost of substance abuse in the U.S. (productivity, health, and crime-related costs) exceeds $600 billion annually. o $235 Billion for Alcohol o $193 billion for tobacco o $181 billion for illicit drugs, including marijuana Fed and state alcohol taxes raise $14.5 billion, covering only about 6% of the total cost to society. Fed and state tobacco taxes raise $25 billion, covering only about 13% of cost to society. CADCA Where do you think we are heading with marijuana?

Marijuana What kind of community do we want for our kids?

States that have legalized medical marijuana have double the rates of youth marijuana use. There are an estimated 1000 marijuana shops in the city of Los Angeles. There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in California and Denver, CO than Starbucks. The Partnership at Drugfree.org. (2013). CADCA A “A Snap Shot”

Marijuana Vending Machines Some states that have legalized marijuana for medical uses have vending machines that dispense marijuana to those with a prescription with a fingerprint identification process. Medbox, a California-based company, wants to sell vending machines to dispense recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington, where it was legalized for “recreational use” in November, NewsOne. (2013). Marijuana Vending Machines Heading to Washington & Colorado? Retrieved from colorado/ colorado/ Black, J. (2013). Recreational marijuana users could get pot from vending machines, company says. NBC News. Retrieved from recreational-marijuana-users-could-get-pot-from-vending-machines-company-says?litehttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/03/ recreational-marijuana-users-could-get-pot-from-vending-machines-company-says?lite

Cashing in on “The Green Rush” Marijuana is big business in the United States, with “pot barons” reaping millions. Dokoupil, T. (2012). The new pot barons: Businessmen bank on marijuana. Newsweek. Retrieved from

What are we up against in 2013? NORML, a pro marijuana legalization group admits to: o attempting to shape legislative initiatives at both state and federal levels; o introducing new legislation at the federal level; o introducing legislation at state levels; and o sending Action Alerts for easy follow-up on these measures with elected officials. “This month, both state and federal legislatures will return to work to kick off the 2013 legislative session and it is already shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent memory for marijuana reformers. Bills are already slated to be introduced in states.” NORML Blog (Jan 7, 2103)

Marijuana & Our Kids We are on our way to a generation of kids who could start using marijuana because they simply don’t think it has any risk. Parents and the community need to understand that marijuana is a real part of their children’s environment. Steve Pasierb, President and CEO, Drugfree.org

What Can We Do To Protect Our Kids from Marijuana?