PowerPoint Presentation

While theres much dialogue about medical marijuana and the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, there is little focus in the media or in public discussion about the many negative consequences of youth use.

Mobilizing Michigan Protecting Our Kids from Marijuana is a campaign to educate all sectors of the community about the dangers of youth marijuana use.

Mobilizing Michigan was created by the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families, a school-community coalition in central Macomb County, Michigan, and the Macomb County Community Mental Health - Office of Substance Abuse (MCOSA).

Funding for creation of the Mobilizing Michigan Campaign Tool Kit was provided by the Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse, Drug Free Communities grant funds, and funds and services donated to the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families. 1A Research-Based Campaign to Educate All Sectors of the Community about the Dangers of Youth Marijuana Use

Consider discussing local concerns regarding youth marijuana use in presenting this information in your community. Consider involving youth to provide their perspectives on the issues.2What Does the Data Tell UsAbout Youth Marijuana Use?

Briefly examine national, state, and local (if you can provide it) data regarding the extent of youth use and the extent to which teens view marijuana use as harmful.

3National DataMonitoring the Future Survey

The Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey gathers data on trends of legal and illegal (illicit) use by teens and adults in the US and related issues.

The survey is conducted by researchers at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, and is funded by the National Institute of Substance Abuse and the National Institute of Health. Each year, approximately 50,000 youth are surveyed nationally.

4Marijuana is Among the Most Commonly Abused Substances by Teens

This slide of 2012 data shows that marijuana (the blue bar) is the most highly abused illicit drug in the country. (Some, but not all, categories of illicit drugs and non-medical use of prescription medications that youth use, are noted.) Youth use marijuana at a much higher rate than other illicit drug, including alcohol (illegal for those under 21 years) and heroin.

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Perception of Risk Monitoring the Future, 2012

This slide gives the longitudinal view of Monitoring the Future data, showing the percent of youth in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades nationally who view regular use as a great risk.

The shape of all three lines indicates that the Perception of Risk for students in all grades peaked in the early 1990s, but has steadily declined over the past 20 years.

This is important because lower perception of less risk is associated with higher levels of drug use,

The passage of medical marijuana laws in 18 states, including Michigan, and the District of Columbia D.C. is considered a major factor in the decrease of perception of risk by youth over time. (Need citation)

The red line (12th grade) is consistently lower than the blue (10th grade) and green (8th grade) lines, indicating that the perception that marijuana is harmful decreases over the grade levels.

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Marijuana Use/Last 12 Months Monitoring the Future, 2012

This graph of Monitoring the Future data for 8th, 10th, and 12th graders from 1974 to 2012 shows a significant variation in marijuana use over the years.

The chart suggests that 8th graders use at lower rates but, as their perception of harm decreases in 10th and 12th grade, their use increases.

7Increased Access, Decreased Stigma, Increased UseIncreased access and availability results in decreased perception of harm and increased use.Legalization has decreased marijuanas 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 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/

An inverse relationship of perception of harm to use rates is evident in this slide that tracks Monitoring the Future data over time. As perception of harm decreases, use increases and vise versa.

Legalization of Medical Marijuana has increased availability and decreased the stigma of Marijuana use.

8Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data (YRBS)

The Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of a nationwide surveying effort led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor students' health risks and behaviors in six categories, including use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs.

The YRBS surveys students in grades 9-12.

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Ever Used Marijuana (Lifetime) YRBS 2011

This graph shows:

Increased use over the grade levels by the Michigan students surveyed

That by 12th grade, 42% of Michigan students surveyed had smoked Marijuana at least once in their life.(additional data)

County data can be added from Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY), a Michigan Dept of Education Survey, by visitinghttps://mdoe.state.mi.us/MIPHYADMIN/reports/CountyReport.aspx

MiPHY data available includes: 7th, 9th and 11th grade perception of risk/harm 7th, 9th and 11th grade lifetime use 7th, 9th and 11th grade past 30 day use

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MarijuanaWhy should we be concerned about our kids?

Research tells us that marijuana use, particularly by youth, has the potential for significant negative consequences.

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This is NOT the pot of the past.

The potency of marijuana (concentration of THC) has more than doubled between 1993 and 2008.

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 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/

THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main active ingredient in marijuana, responsible for many of its known effects.

According to NIDA (the National Institute of Drug Abuse), the THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970s. Estimates from confiscated marijuana indicated that it contains almost 10% THC, on average. http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana

With todays pot, it only takes a small amount to get high and youth get addicted faster than with the lower potency versions of pot from the past. NIDA Research Report Series

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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

Citation:ONDCP - Office of National Drug Control Policy

Long-term studies of high school students show that few young people use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana. For example, the risk of using cocaine is much greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.

Using marijuana puts children and teens in contact with people who use and sell other drugs.

If teens experiment with marijuana and do not have immediate consequences, they are more likely to continue use that may unknowingly lead to addiction or to experimentation with other harmful drugs.NIDA for Teens 201213

Marijuana IS AddictiveThe 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

Citations:NIH - National Institute of Health.ONDCP - Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Addiction Many people dont think of marijuana as addictivethey are wrong. About 9 percent of people who use marijuana become dependent on it. The number increases to about one in six among those who start using it at a young age, and to 25 to 50 percent among daily users. Marijuana increases dopamine, which creates the good feelings or high associated with its use. A user may feel the urge to smoke marijuana again, and again, and again to re-create that experience. Repeated use could lead to addictiona disease where people continue to do something, even when they are aware of the severe negative consequences at the personal, social, academic, and professional levels.NIDA for Teens 2012

Frequent, heavy use of marijuana can lead to needing increasing amounts of it to get the same feelings (tolerance) and possibly to dependence (addiction). If daily use is stopped, flu-like withdrawal symptoms and craving for the drug can develop within 24 to 48 hours and last about 2 weeks. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/marijuana-topic-overview

14The Teen Brain & MarijuanaSCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

Marijuana use negatively impacts adolescent brain development. Diagram taken from NIDA, National Institute of Health, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services included in Scholastic Magazine, Heads Up Real News About Drugs and Your Body

A study by Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and the National Institute on Mental Health, found that adolescents and young adults who are heavy users of marijuana are more likely than non-users to have disrupted brain development. Researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain that interconnect brain regions involved in memory, attention, decision-making, language and executive functioning skills. CADCA (Community of Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) Position Statement on Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Legalization August 9, 2012 www.CADCA.org

15The Teen Brain & MemoryThe 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.

Under the influence of marijuana, the brain cannot most effectively process information and store it for later retrieval. Research Report Series Marijuana Abuse NIDA, July 2012http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rrmarijuana.pdf

Diagram taken from NIDA, National Institute of Health, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services included in Scholastic Magazine, Heads Up Real News About Drugs and Your Body

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Academic PerformanceMarijuana 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

Citation:SAHMSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency, a federal agency.

THC interferes with learning and memory because the hippocampus, part of the brain, plays a critical role in certain types of learning.Disrupting its normal functioning can lead to problems studying, learning new things, and recalling recent events. NIDA for Teens 2012

17Marijuana 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 teens risk of depression and anxiety.

NIDA

Marijuana & Mental Health

Studies have shown an association between marijuana use and increased risk of schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that includes confused thoughts, and, to a lesser extent, a connection between depression and anxiety. There are now sufficient data indicating that marijuana may trigger the onset or relapse of schizophrenia in people predisposed to it, perhaps also intensifying their symptoms.NIDA: Topics in Brief Marijuana Dec 2011

Studies show that early marijuana use may increase the risk of developing psychosis if someone has a genetic vulnerability to the disease. Marijuana also has been associated with depression and anxiety, but more research is necessary to confirm and better understand that relationship.NIDA for Teens 201218Marijuana use can negatively affect:The HeartIncreases 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

Within a few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, an individuals heart rate speeds up, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red.

The heart ratenormally 70 to 80 beats per minutemay increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute, or may even double in some cases.

Taking other drugs with marijuana can amplify this effect.

Within a few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, an individuals heart rate speeds up, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red. NIDA: Infofax Marijuana 2010

Marijuana raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours.

In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias.

This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.NIDA: Dec 2012 Drug Facts: Marijuana www.drugabuse.gov

19Marijuana use can negatively affect:The LungsMarijuana 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

The smoke of marijuana, like that of tobacco, consists of a toxic mixture of gases and particulates, many of which are known to be harmful to the lungs.

Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses, and a greater risk of lung infections.

In addition, marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogensup to 70 percent more than tobacco smoke.

It also induces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their cancer-causing form, which could accelerate the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells.

Since marijuana smokers generally inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers, the lungs are exposed longer to carcinogenic smoke.

However, while several lines of evidence have suggested that marijuana use may lead to lung cancer, the supporting evidence is inconclusive (Hashibe et al. 2006).

The presence of an unidentified active ingredient in cannabis smoke having protective propertiesif corroborated and properly characterizedcould help explain the inconsistencies and modest findings.NIDA: Infofax Marijuana 2010

20Marijuana & DrivingMarijuana 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, USDept. of Transportation, 2010

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, drivers who tested positive for marijuana in fatal car crashes DOUBLED between 2006 and 2010.

CADCAColorado Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) August, 2011

Citation:CADCA Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America

THC effects can cause disaster on the road.

Research shows that drivers on marijuana have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and problems responding to signals and sounds.

A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a drivers risk of being in an accident.

Studies conducted in a number of localities have found that approximately 4 to 14 percent of drivers who sustained injury or death in traffic accidents tested positive for THC.NIDA for Teens

Studies show that it (marijuana) impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors. This impairment can last 12 to 24 hours due to accumulation of marijuana in fatty tissue.http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/alcohol,_tobacco,_&_other_drugs/marijuana.php

21Marijuana & EmploymentMany companies, industries, and professions require drug testing to be hired and/or drug testing while employed. www.testclear.comJob 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

More than 6,000 companies nationwide and scores of industries and professions require a pre-employment drug test, according to The Definitive List of Companies that Drug Test (available at www.testclear.com).

The nearly 7% of high school seniors already smoke marijuana on a daily basis and would fail any required pre-employment drug test at the more than 6,000 companies that require it.

In Michigan, certification to use medical marijuana doesnt mean people need to be hired (or keep their job) with a failed drug test.

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Marijuana & Youth Nora Volkow, M.D. Director, National Institute of Drug AbuseRegular 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 persons lifethwarting his or her potential.

Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc.

Dr. Volkows statements about marijuana might be used as points in a group discussion.

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Marijuana & YouthNora 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 persons chances of successin school and in life.

Dr. Volkows statements about marijuana be used as points in a group discussion.

24Effects of the Normalization and Legalization of Marijuana

There are many unintended consequences that occur in time with the passage of Medical Marijuana laws and the passage of laws approving recreational marijuana use.

For an update on the number of states that have voted to legalize marijuana use for medical purposes, visit: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881.

States like Colorado and Washington that voted (November 2012) to allow marijuana to be used for recreational purposes are also finding challenges.

As of November 2012, a few cities in Michigan (Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo, Detroit, & Flint), have voted to allow the recreational use of marijuana. Most do not have clearly written ordinances at this time.25Diminishing Perception as a Harmful Drug Due to recent legalization efforts, marijuanas 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 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/

26Addiction rates among 12-17 year olds are among the highest levels nationally in states that have medical marijuana programs. CADCA: POSITION STATEMENT ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION27Medical Marijuana and TeensNormalization of use occurs, when medical marijuana is approved and creates confusion about the dangers of use for teens.

CADCA provided this information from: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), State Estimates from the 2008- 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health

27Drug Use - The Cost to SocietyTotal overall cost of substance abuse in the U.S. (productivity, health, and crime-related costs) exceeds $600 billion annually.$235 Billion for Alcohol$193 billion for tobacco$181 billion for illicit drugs, including marijuanaFed 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. CADCAWhere do you think we are heading with marijuana?

Consider the cost of the cost of substance abuse in our country?

Where do you think we are heading with marijuana?28MarijuanaWhat kind of community do we want for our kids?

Consider the effects on communities in states where Medical Marijuana has been legalized for a longer period than in Michigan.29States 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

Citations:CADCA Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America

California was the first state that passed a medical marijuana law (in 1996). They have encountered many negative consequences.States that have passed medical marijuana use laws have doubled their youth marijuana use. (CADCA) Need actual citation here-Position Paper???

30Marijuana Vending MachinesSome 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, 2012.

NewsOne. (2013). Marijuana Vending Machines Heading to Washington &Colorado? Retrieved from http://newsone.com/2123672/marijuana-vending-machines-heading-to-washington-colorado/

Black, J. (2013). Recreational marijuana users could get pot from vending machines, company says. NBC News. Retrieved from http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/03/16327561-recreational-marijuana-users-could-get-pot-from-vending-machines-company-says?lite

Note: You may be asked about the effects of marijuana that is ingested.

HIGH IS HIGH no matter if you eat it, or inhale the smoke from cannabisEating marijuana can cause slower, and sometimes less predictable effects. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000952.htm

If marijuana is consumed in foods or beverages, the effects appear laterusually in 30 minutes to 1 hourbut can last up to 4 hours. Smoking marijuana delivers significantly more THC into the bloodstream than eating or drinking the drug. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-produce-its-effects

Negative long-term physical consequences still need to be researched.

31Cashing 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 http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/21/will-pot-barons-cash-in-on-legalization.html

This 2012 edition of Newsweek magazine provided information about the new entrepreneurs seeking to make marijuana big business.32

What are we up against in 2013?NORML, a pro marijuana legalization group admits to:attempting to shape legislative initiatives at both state and federal levels; introducing new legislation at the federal level;introducing legislation at state levels; andsending 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)

What is NORML: http://blog.norml.org/2013/01/07/normlize-congress-marijuana-law-reform-heating-up-in-2013/ Jan 7, 2013

NORML is a pro-marijuana legalization group. NORML is organized, well-funded, and strategic in efforts to legalize marijuana. NORML is working to: Shape one of the busiest legislative sessions, both state and federal, for pro-marijuana action. Promote bills to be introduced in states, including Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Texas with many more to come.Promote federal legislation.Provide Action Alerts as new bills are introduced, to create quick contacts with elected officials to seek their support.Visit http://norml.org/news for updates

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Marijuana & Our KidsWe are on our way to a generation of kids who could start using marijuana because they simply dont think it has any risk.

Parents and the community need to understand that marijuana is a real part of their childrens environment.

Steve Pasierb, President and CEO, Drugfree.org

Citation:

http://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/the-partnership-at-drugfree-org-responds-to-surge-in-childhood-marijuana-use-in-2012-monitoring-the-future-study-2

34What Can We Do To Protect Our Kids from Marijuana?

This question can be posed to community groups to promote discussion.35