This document provides a summary of a presentation on translating the science on marijuana into effective public health messages. The presentation aimed to understand the latest science on marijuana use and how to frame prevention messages. It identifies concerns related to marijuana use and legalization such as addiction, impaired driving, and negative impacts on adolescent brain development and academic achievement. The presentation argues for using strong evidence from research to change the discussion on marijuana from complicated to simple and from negative to positive. It provides sample messages focused on how marijuana use could negatively impact things people care about like education, employment, and highway safety.

1. Trending Topics Track
The Naked Truth About “Medical”
Marijuana: Translating the Science
into Messages that Matter
Presenters:
• Susan R. Thau, MCRP, Public Policy Consultant,
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
• Thomas J. Gorman, Director, Rocky Mountain High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
Moderator: Nancy Hale, President and CEO,
Operation UNITE

2. Disclosures
Susan R. Thau, MCRP; Thomas J. Gorman; and Nancy
Hale have disclosed no relevant, real, or apparent
personal or professional financial relationships with
proprietary entities that produce healthcare goods and
services.

3. Disclosures
• All planners/managers hereby state that they or their
spouse/life partner do not have any financial
relationships or relationships to products or devices
with any commercial interest related to the content of
this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.
• The following planners/managers have the following to
disclose:
– Kelly Clark – Employment: Publicis Touchpoint Solutions;
Consultant: Grunenthal US
– Robert DuPont – Employment: Bensinger, DuPont &
Associates-Prescription Drug Research Center
– Carla Saunders – Speaker’s bureau: Abbott Nutrition

4. Learning Objectives
1. Identify concerns related to marijuana, medical
marijuana and legalization.
2. Evaluate the impact of marijuana legalization in
Colorado.
3. Describe the impact of marijuana use on the
adolescent brain.
4. Explain how to track the impact of medical marijuana
and marijuana legalization on public health and
safety.
5. Prepare attendees to deliver science-based messages
that resonate with the general public.

5. The Naked Truth About
“Medical” Marijuana:
Translating the Science
into Messages that Matter
Sue Thau, Public Policy Consultant,
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America
5

6. Sue Thau, Public Policy Consultant,
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America, has disclosed no relevant,
real or apparent personal or
professional financial relationships
with proprietary entities that produce
health care goods and services.
6

7. Goals
• Understand the latest science about
marijuana use
• Understand how CADCA has framed marijuana
prevention messages from the science
• Understand how to employ these prevention
messages locally to educate residents and key
community leaders
7

8. “The naked truth is
always better than the
best-dressed lie.”
– Ann Landers
8

9. Marijuana is Addictive
9
• Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction.
Approximately 9 percent of users will become
addicted to marijuana.
• This number increases to 17 percent among
those who start young.
Budney AJ, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR, Thostenson JD, Bursac Z. 2008. “Comparison of cannabis and tobacco withdrawal:
Severity and contribution to relapse.” J Subst Abuse Treat, e-publication ahead of print.

10. who start using marijuana
in adolescence become addicted.
So…1 in 6 Young People
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2011. Topics in Brief: Marijuana. Available:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/marijuana
10

11. According to the 2014 Monitoring the Future Survey,
perceptions about the risks of marijuana
are going down among 12th graders.
11

12. FACTS on Medical Marijuana
• Less than 3% of state “medical marijuana” users
have cancer, HIV, or glaucoma.
• Vast majority are white males in
30s and 40s with self-diagnosed pain.
• Most cancer doctors and other physicians do not
recommend smoking or ingesting marijuana.
California average medical marijuana patient statistics, found at: O'Connell, T and Bou-Matar , C.B. (2007). Long term cannabis users seeking medical cannabis in
California (2001–2007): demographics, social characteristics, patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants. Harm Reduction Journal,
12

13. FACTS on Medical Marijuana
–Is not even good for conditions it is
touted for
–Could exacerbate symptoms
(American Glaucoma Society)
1American Glaucoma Foundation. Available: http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/UserFiles/File/TGF_Summer_10_Web.pdf
1
13

14. Medical Marijuana Is Easily Diverted
To Youth
• Teens who know somebody with a
medical marijuana license are more like
than those who don’t to report ‘fairly’ or
‘very’ easy access to marijuana
• 74% of Denver-area teens in treatment
said they used somebody else’s medical
marijuana an average of 50 times
Thurstone, 2013; Salomonsen-Sautel et al., 2012
14

15. Diversion To Youth
15

16. Increased Use Among Teens
Pacula et al found that two features of medical
marijuana – home cultivation and dispensaries –
are positively associated with youth marijuana
use and “have important implications for states
considering legalization of marijuana.”
Wall, M., et al., 2011; Johnston, L.D., et al., 2011. and Pacula et al 2013
Pacula slide 16

17. 17

18. A Recent Australian Study on Individuals
Prescribed Opioid Painkillers That Also
Used “Medical Marijuana” (1 in 6
participants)
• Were more likely to take opioids in ways not recommended by their doctor
• Were over twice as likely to have an alcohol use disorder and four times
as likely to have a heroin use disorder
• Medical marijuana users were over 50 percent more likely to be taking
anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines), which when combined with
opioids are particularly likely to cause an overdose
Degenhardt, Louisa. ,Humphreys, Keith. Medical Marijuana and the Risk of Painkiller Overdose. Scope, Published by Stanford
Medicine. January 13, 2015.
Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study.
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015 Feb . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25533893 18

19. 19

20. 20

21. Play #1
•Pass “medical” marijuana
initiatives
21

22. Using “Marijuana as Medicine”
a “Permission Structure” was built
about the safety and acceptability of
marijuana use with the general
public.

23. 23

24. 24

25. 25

26. Play #2
• Open “medical” marijuana dispensaries
26

27. Play #3
•Full legalization of marijuana
27

28. The Ultimate Play?
•Full legalization of all drugs
28

29. “I’m always telling my marijuana reform allies, when
they say we need to legalize marijuana and get
tougher on the other drugs, ‘shut the hell up’”
The whole, of course, is safe and legal access to all
drugs. Cocaine. Heroin. Hash. Ecstasy.
“Legalize all drugs? The man behind loosening pot laws in US eyes new goal” Available: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/27/21578665-legalize-all-
drugs-the-man-behind-loosening-pot-laws-in-us-eyes-new-goal
Ethan Nadelmann – Head of Drug Policy
Alliance
29

30. HOW TO FRAME OUR MESSAGES
TO WIN BACK THE PUBLIC
30

31. Using Science with High Evidence from
NIDA to Change the Frame:
From negative to positive
From “old” to “new”
From complicated to simple
31

32. Volkow, Nora M.D., Baler, Ruben D.
Ph.D., Compton, Wilson M. M.D., Weiss,
Susan Ph.D. Adverse Health Effects of
Marijuana Use. The New England Journal
of Medicine. June 5, 2014.
NIDA Scientific Evidence
Marijuana Effects on Health and Well-Being.
Overall Level
of Confidence*
Addiction to marijuana and High
other substances
Diminished lifetime achievement High
Motor vehicle accidents High
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis High

33. 33
Based on the Science
We need to give people an
“A Ha! I got it!” message.
It’s going to actually affect ME.
Best Example: Second Hand Smoke

34. If you care about
academic achievement:
You need to care about
increased marijuana use.
34

35. Because:
Use by age 15=
1.) 3.6 times less likely to graduate from high school
2.) 2.3 times less likely to enroll in college
3.) 3.7 times less likely to get college degree.
Thurstone, Christian, Dr. Marijuana Use & Pregnancy. May 14, 2014. Available at http://drthurstone.com/?s=pregnancy&x=0&y=0.
35

36. Because:
Marijuana Use Lowers IQ1
• A recent study found that those who used marijuana heavily in their
teens and continued through adulthood showed a permanent drop in
IQ of 8 points.
• A loss of 8 IQ points could drop a person of
average intelligence into the lowest
third of the intelligence range.
1M.H. Meier, Avshalom Caspi, et al. 2012. “Persistent cannabis users show
neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife.” Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences
36

37. 37
The more a student uses marijuana, the lower their grade
point average is likely to be and the more likely they are to
drop out of school.1
1 Johnston, L. D., O'Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., &
Schulenberg, J. E.. University of Michigan, 2011.
Monitoring the Future Study
Because:

38. • Marijuana use negatively effects motivation,
memory, AND learning.1
1 National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know.” 2011. Available:
www.nida.nih.gov/marijbroch/parents/001.php
Because:
38

39. Take Away Message for Parents:
Marijuana use will hurt
YOUR child’s IQ, grades, and
ability to graduate from high school!
39

40. Take Away Message For
Teachers/School Systems:
40
Increased marijuana use will
result in reduced academic
achievement for which
teachers/school system will
be blamed.

41. If you care about college
completion:
You need to care about increased marijuana use.
41

42. • College students with high levels (17 days/month)
of marijuana use were twice as likely as those
with minimal use (less than 1 day/month) to have
an enrollment gap while in college.1
• (e.g. dropout and not graduate on time)
1 Amelia M. Arria , MD. Drug Use Patterns and Continuous Enrollment in College: Results From a Longitudinal Study. January 2013. Vol 24
Issue 1. Available:
http://www.jsad.com/jsad/article/Drug_Use_Patterns_and_Continuous_Enrollment_in_College_Results_From_a_Long/4775.html
Because:
42

43. Because:
Daily marijuana use among college students is the
highest it's been in more than three decades.
A MTF study found:
• In 2013, 1 in every 20 college students is smoking pot on a
daily basis, including 1 in every 11 males and 1 in every 34
females
• In 1990, 1 in 50 college students used marijuana that
frequently
• This is the highest rate of daily use observed among college
students since 1981
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/09/regular_marijuana_use_among_co.html 43

44. Average cost of college
in 4 years is: $89,044
Average cost of college
in 6 years is: $133,566
Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling 2012-2013.
44

45. Take Away Message for Parents:
Your child’s marijuana
use could derail their
college career and be
very costly to you!!
45

46. IF YOU CARE ABOUT
HIGHWAY SAFETY:
YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT
INCREASED MARIJUANA USE.
46

47. Why?
Because marijuana use
impairs driving ability1
1For a comprehensive review, see DuPont, R. et al. 2010. “Drugged Driving Research: A White Paper.” Prepared for the National Institute
on Drug Abuse. Available at http://stopdruggeddriving.org/pdfs/DruggedDrivingAWhitePaper.pdf
47

48. • Between 1999 and 2010, the prevalence of drugs
other than alcohol in fatally injured drivers increased
significantly.
• While the prevalence of alcohol remained stable at
39%, the prevalence of other drugs increased from
16.6% in 1999 to 28.3% in 2010.
• The greatest increase was for marijuana, which
tripled, from 4.2% in 1999 to 12.2% in 2010.
Because: Marijuana Most Prevalent
Drug Detected in Fatally Injured
Drivers
Source: Adapted by CESAR from Brady, J.E. and Li, G., “Trends in Alcohol and Other Drugs Detected in Fatally Injured Drivers in the United States, 1999-2010,”
American Journal of Epidemiology, Advance Access, 1/29/2014. For more information, contact Dr. Guohua Li at gl2240@columbia.edu.
48

49. Impaired Driving in Colorado:
• Traffic fatalities involving operators testing positive for marijuana have
increased 100% from 2007 to 2012.
• The majority of driving-under-the-influence-of-drugs arrests involve
marijuana and 25 to 40% were marijuana alone.
• Toxicology reports with positive marijuana results for driving under the
influence have increased 16% from 2011 to 2013.
49
http://www.rmhidta.org/html/August%202014%20Legalization%20of%20MJ%20in%20Colorado%20the%20Impact.pdf

50. Driving under the influence
of marijuana is associated
with a 92% increased risk of
vehicular crashes.
1
Such driving is associated
with a 110% increase in
fatal crashes.
2
50
1 Asbridge, M., Hayden, JA, Cartwirght, JL. Acute cannabis consumption and motor vehicle collision risk: systematic review of observational studies and meta-
analysis. British Medical Journal, 2012; 344 (ePub): e536. PMID: 22323502.
2 Ibid.
Because:

51. Because:
• According to the 2012
Monitoring the Future Study,
three times as many high
school seniors reported
driving after smoking
marijuana than drinking
alcohol (8.6% to 2.9%)
51

52. Because:
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, found 44 % of college men said they drove
after smoking marijuana in the previous month,
compared with 12% who said they drove after
drinking.
Jennifer M. Whitehill, PhD; Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH; Megan A. Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH; Marijuana-Using Drivers, Alcohol-Using Drivers,
and Their Passengers. AMA Pediatr. Published online May 12, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5300
52

53. IF YOU CARE ABOUT
EMPLOYMENT:
YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT
INCREASED MARIJUANA USE.
53

54. According to the American Council for Drug
Education in New York, employees who abuse
drugs are:
• 10 times more likely to miss work
Why? Because:
54

55. Because:
3.6 times
more likely to
be involved in
on-the-job
incidents.
55

56. Because:
5 times more likely to file a workers’
compensation claim.
And since regular users can’t pass drug
tests, this hurts employability!
56

57. Many big companies, industries
and professions nationwide
conduct drug testing
• Big Retailers (Target, Walmart)
• Food Services
• Police/Fire Departments
• Military
• Transportation
• Banking
• Real Estate
57

58. These students are
virtually unemployable. 58

59. TAKE AWAY MESSAGE
FOR JOB SEEKERS:
Marijuana use can RUIN
your chances of employment!
59

60. TAKE AWAY MESSAGE
FOR BUSINESS:
Increased marijuana use is
BAD for your business and
your bottom line.
60

61. IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR
TAX BURDEN,
YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT
INCREASED MARIJUANA USE
61

62. Why? Because
Because the total overall costs of substance
abuse in the U.S., including productivity,
health and crime-related costs, exceed
$600 billion annually.1
This includes approximately:
• $235 billion for alcohol
• $193 billion for tobacco
• $181 billion for illicit drugs
1 Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States, Executive Office of the
President (Publication No. 207303). 2004. Available at www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/publication/pdf.economic_costs.pdf
62

63. Because:
• Federal and state alcohol taxes raise $14.5
billion, covering only about 6% of alcohol’s
total cost to society.1
• Federal and state tobacco taxes raise $25
billion, covering only about 13% of
tobacco’s total cost to society.2
1 Dupont, Robert M.D., Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1973-1978), “Why We Should Not Legalize
Marijuana.” April 2010. Available: www.cnbc.com/id/36267223/Why_We_Should_Not_Legalize_Marijuana
2 Ibid
63

64. TAKE AWAY MESSAGE:
Increased marijuana use will COST
tax payers much more money
than it can possibly bring in.
64

65. BEWARE: Our Nations Future Could Look Like This
65

66. Instead of This!
66

67. Thomas J. Gorman, Director
Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
www.rmhidta.org
2015
DRUG POLICY 101
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COLORADO
THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN COLORADO: THE
COLORADO: THE IMPACT

68. Disclosure Statement
Director Tom Gorman has disclosed no
relevant, real or apparent personal and
professional financial relationships with
proprietary entities that produce health care
goods and services.

69. Learning Objectives
• Identify concerns related to marijuana, medical
marijuana and legalization
• Evaluate the impact of marijuana legalization in
Colorado
• Describe the impact of marijuana use on the
adolescent brain
• Explain how to track the impact of medical marijuana
and marijuana legalization on public health and safety
• Prepare attendees to deliver science-based messages
that resonate with the general public

71. www.rmhidta.org
click on
“Reports”

72. The War on Drugs
Has Been a Failure
Question:
Why do you and/or others feel our drug
policy has been a failure?

73. Questions
 What is the purpose of
drug policy?
 Isn’t drug use a
victimless crime?

74. Background
• Purpose of Drug Policy
• Limit the number of people using drugs
• Victimless Crime?
• Four classes of victim:
1. User
2. Family/Friends
3. Victim of Crime
4. Taxpayers

76. Question
What are the factors that
affect the rate of drug use?

77. Background
• Factors Affecting Rate of Drug Use
• Four primary factors:
1. Price
2. Availability
3. Perception of Risk
4. Public Attitude

78. Some Common Issues
• Alcohol Prohibition Didn’t Work
• Legalization Experiments in Other
Countries
• Everyone Uses and, if Legalized,
Marijuana Wouldn’t Increase Much

79. Some Common Issues
• Marijuana is Safe
– No, it’s more harmful than most think
• Intoxication
• Physical and health effects
• Addiction
• Psychological or mental health impact
• Brain development and deterioration
• Impaired driving
• Impact specifically on youth
• Employment issues

80. Some Common Issues
• Drug Laws Invade Privacy
and Freedom
• Drug Laws Don’t Deter Use
or Limit Availability

81. Some Common Issues
• Marijuana Arrests and Prison
• Drug Laws are Racist

82. Some Common Issues
• Mexican Cartels and Profits
• Tax Revenue from
Legalization
• Federal vs. State Law

83. The Issue
Drug “War” a Failure
Question…
What would it take for you to
consider our drug policy successful?

84. The Issue
Alcohol and Tobacco
Heroin, Meth, Crack,
Hallucinogens,
Cocaine, Tranquilizers,
Pain Relievers and
Marijuana

85. The Issue
SOURCE: 2013 National Survey on Drug Use
• Americans age 12 and older (past
month):
 9% used any illegal drug
 26% used tobacco
 52% used alcohol

86. The Issue
91% of Americans
do NOT use illegal
drugs
SOURCE: 2013 National Survey on Drug Use

89. Licensed Marijuana Businesses
Medical Marijuana
(January 1, 2015)
Recreational Marijuana
(January 1, 2015)
• 497 licensed
dispensaries
• 748 marijuana
cultivation facilities
• 163 infused products
(edibles) businesses
• 369 licensed marijuana
retail stores
• 397 licensed marijuana
cultivation facilities
• 98 licenses for infused
product (edibles)
businesses

90. Perspective
• Colorado…
 Medical Marijuana Centers = 497
 Recreational Marijuana Stores = 369
 Starbucks Coffee = 405
 McDonalds = 227

91. Denver: The Mile HIGH City

92. Denver: The Mile HIGH City

93. Full-page ad
Westword
February 6 –
12, 2014 issue

95. “Legal pot blamed for some of influx of
homeless in Denver this summer”
The Denver Post, July 25, 2014
• Haven of Hope: 500% rise over normal in
homeless in summer 2014 (50 to 300)
• Salvation Army: 33% rise since 2014
compared to 2013
• Salvation Army: Survey 25% increase
related to marijuana

96. Marijuana and Public Consumption
“Boulder
[Colorado]
pot smoking
tickets up
nearly 4
times”
Boulder Daily Camera
December 23, 2013

98. www.rmhidta.org
click on
“Reports”

99. Forecast
What Does the Data and
Trends Show?

100. Impact
Comparison Dates
 2007 – 2008: Early Medical Marijuana Era
 1,000 – 4,800 cardholders and 0 known
dispensaries
 2009 – 2012: Medical Marijuana Commercialization
and Expansion Era
 108,000 cardholders and 532 licensed dispensaries
 2013 – Present: Medical Marijuana
Commercialization and Recreational Marijuana
Era

102. DUID – Colorado State Patrol
0
200
400
600
800
1000
Total Number of
DUIDs
Positive for
Marijuana with
Alcohol or Other
Drugs
Positive for
Marijuana Only
874
674
354
Year 2014 Totals
SOURCE: Colorado State Patrol, 2014
100% 77% 40%

103. Marijuana and Impaired Driving
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
2006 – 2011 and Rocky Mountain HIDTA
-
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Chematox 79 190 1,076
CDPHE 223 650 1,322 1,342 596
DUID Blood Tests Confirmed THC

104. Marijuana and Traffic Fatalities
Driving Fatalities Data Involving Marijuana
 2007 – 2012
• Colorado fatalities with operators testing
positive for marijuana increased by 100 percent

105. Marijuana and Traffic Fatalities
SOURCE: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System
(FARS), 2006-20011 and RMHIDTA 2012
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
16.00%
18.00%
20.00%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
6.92% 7.04%
7.85%
10.10%
10.89%
14.09%
16.53%
PercentofTotalFatalities
Percent of All Fatalities With Operators Testing
Positive for Marijuana

106. Marijuana Use in Youth and Adults

107. Teens and Marijuana
“Since legalization, reports of pot in
middle and high schools soar.”

108. Marijuana Use in Youth
Youth (ages 12 to 17 years)
Current Marijuana Use 2013
 National average for youth was 7.15 percent
 Colorado average for youth was 11.16 percent
 Colorado was ranked 3rd in the nation for current
marijuana use among youth (56.08 percent higher
than the national average)

109. Marijuana Use in Youth
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2012 and 2013
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
2006-2008
(Pre-Commercialization)
2009-2012
(Post-Commercialization)
2013
(Legalization)
8.29%
10.32%
11.16%
AveragePercent
Colorado Average Past Month Use of Marijuana
Ages 12 to 17 Years
(25% Increase) (8% Increase)

110. SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2012 and 2013
Past Month Usage by 12 to 17-Year-Olds in
Medical Marijuana States, 2013
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
AL KS MS OK WV NJ AR WY TN NE IL MN MO GA OH FL NY NV MT MA DE ME OR WA VT
AveragePercentage
As of 2013:
Legalized Recreational/Medical Marijuana State
Legalized Medical Marijuana State
Non-Legalized Medical Marijuana State

111. 0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
Non-Medical Marijuana
States
Medical Marijuana
States
Recreational/Medical
Marijuana States
6.1%
8.9%
10.5%
AveragePercentage
Average Past Month Use by 12 to 17-Year-Olds, 2013
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2012 and 2013
Marijuana Use in Youth

112. 0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
2004-2005
to
2008-2009
2009-2010
to
2013-2014
3,864
5,167
AverageNumberof
Suspensions/Expulsions
Academic Years
Average Drug-Related Suspensions/Expulsions
34% Increase
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Education, 10-Year Trend Date: State Suspension and
Expulsion Incident Rates and Reasons
High School Discipline

113. High School Discipline
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Education, 10-Year Trend Data: State Suspension and
Expulsion Incident Rates and Reasons
3.2 3.2 3.0 3.1 3.1
4.4
5.0 5.1
5.4
6.4
1.2 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
PercentageofTotalSuspensions
Percentage of Total Suspensions in Colorado from
2004 - 2014 School Years
Drug Violations
Alcohol Violations
Commercialization
Legalization

114. College-Age Marijuana Use
College-Age Adults (ages 18 to 25 years)
Current Marijuana Use 2013
 National average = 18.91 percent
 Colorado average = 29.05 percent
 Colorado was ranked 2nd in the nation for current
marijuana use among college-age adults (53.62
percent higher than the national average)

115. College-Age Marijuana Use
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2012 and 2013
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
2006-2008
Pre-Commercialization
2009-2012
Post-Commercialization
2013
Legalization
22.36%
26.18%
29.05%
AveragePercent
Average Past Month Use of Marijuana
College Age (18 to 25 Years Old)
(17% Increase) (11% Increase)

116. Adult Marijuana Use
Adults (ages 26+ years)
Current Marijuana Use 2013
 National average = 5.45 percent
 Colorado average = 10.13 percent
 Colorado was ranked 5th in the nation for current
marijuana use among adults (85.87 percent higher
than the national average)

117. Adult Marijuana Use
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2012 and 2013
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
2006-2008
Pre-Commercialization
2009-2012
Post-Commercialization
2013
Legalization
6.03%
7.98%
10.13%
AveragePercent
Average Past Month Use of Marijuana
Adults (Age 26+)
(32% Increase) (27% Increase)

118. Marijuana and Emergency Room
Visits

119. SOURCE: Proceedings of the Denver Epidemiology Work Group (DEWG), Denver Office of Drug
Strategy/The Denver Drug Strategy Commission, October 29, 2014
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
250.00
300.00
350.00
400.00
450.00
2011 2012 2013
Colorado 147.80 179.00 248.32
Denver City and County 315.34 331.22 415.46
RatesPer100,000
Emergency Department Rates Per 100,000 Marijuana-
Related, 2011-2013
Legalization

120. SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Monitoring Health Concerns
Related to Marijuana in Colorado: 2014
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
2011 2012 2013 Jan-Jun
2014
618
701
873
1,105
RatesPer100,000
Data Not Available Pre-2011
Rates of Emergency Department (ED) Visits with
Possible Marijuana Exposures, Diagnoses, or Billing
Codes per 100,000 ED Visits by Year in Colorado
Jan-Jun
2014
Legalization

121. SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Monitoring Health Concerns
Related to Marijuana in Colorado: 2014
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Jan-Jun
2014
810 818
911 963
1,260 1,313
1,417
1,779
2,277
RatesPer100,000
Rates of Hospitalization (HD) Visits with Possible
Marijuana Exposures, Diagnoses, or Billing Codes
per 100,000 HD Visits by Year in Colorado
Jan-Jun
2014
Commercialization
Legalization

122. Marijuana and Poison Control
Cases

123. Rocky Mountain Poison Center
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Poison Center and American Association of Poison Control Centers
0
5
10
15
20
2006 - 2009 2010-2013
3.76 4.97
9.74
17.81
Average Percent of Children Ages 0 to 5 Years for
Reported Marijuana Exposure Cases
National
Colorado

124. Rocky Mountain Poison Center
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment/RMPDC
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
28 29 27 25
34
25
32 37
18
53
40
61
88
151
NumberofExposuresReported
RMPDC Marijuana Exposure Calls
Through December 31, 2014
Commercializati
on
Legalization

125. THC Extraction Lab Explosion

126. THC Extraction Labs
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain HIDTA Investigative Support Center
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2
0 0 0
12
32
NumberofExplosions
Explosions
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
3
0 0 0
18
30
NumberofInjuries
Injuries

127. Marijuana Diversion

128. Diversion of Marijuana from
Colorado

129. Diversion – By Motor Vehicles
SOURCE: El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), National Seizure System
54
41
57 58
92
281
321
274
288
360
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Colorado Marijuana Interdication Seizures

130. Diversion – By Motor Vehicles
SOURCE: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
2005-2008 2009-2014
2,763
3,667
Average Pounds of Colorado Marijuana from
Interdiction Seizures

131. Diversion – By U.S. Postal Service Packages
SOURCE: United States Postal Inspection Service
** Preliminary data
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0 15
36
158
207
320**
Parcels
Parcels Containing Marijuana Mailed from Colorado
to Another State

132. Diversion – By U.S. Postal Service Packages
SOURCE: United States Postal Inspection Service
** Preliminary data
0
100
200
300
400
500
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0
57.20 68.20
262.00
493.05
469.91**
Pounds
Pounds of Colorado Marijuana Seized by the
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

133. All Reported Crime in Denver
2012 2013 2014
43,867
reported
crimes
48,147
reported
crimes
49,258
reported
crimes
5,391 reported
crimes increase
from 2012
through 2014
(+12.3 percent)
Reported offenses using the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) definitions
in the City and County of Denver, January 9, 2015

134. Alcohol Consumption
SOURCE: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
2.72
2.72
2.78
2.77
2.70
2.71
2.73
2.76
2.33
2.28
2.31
2.31
2.23
2.27
2.28
2.33
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Gallons
Years
Alcohol Consumption Per Person
in Gallons by Year
National
Colorado

135. John Aguilar, The Denver Post, Saturday, February 7, 2015

136. County Responses to A-64
As of November 5, 2014 related to recreational
marijuana businesses:
 36 counties prohibited
 8 counties have a moratorium or temporary
ban
 5 counties prohibited new businesses but
allowed medical to migrate to recreational
 15 counties have allowed (23 percent)

137. City Responses to A-64
As of November 5, 2014 related to recreational
marijuana businesses:
 179 cities prohibited
 40 cities have a moratorium
 6 cities prohibited new businesses but
allowed medical to migrate to recreational
 41 cities have allowed (15 percent)

138. Polling
November 2012 A64 Election Results
54% in Favor 46% Opposed
Sept. 2014 Suffolk University/USA Today Poll
Colorado
46% continue to
support A64
50.2% do not agree
with A64 decision

139. Polling
October 2014 Gallup Poll
Favor
Legalized
Oppose
Legalized
Unsure
2013 58% 39% 3%
2014 51% 47% 2%

140. Polling
October 2014 Pew Research Center Poll
Favor
Legalized
Oppose
Legalized
Unsure
Feb. 2014 54% 42% 3%
Oct. 2014 52% 45% 3%

141. Thank you for what you do.
Remember:

142. Trending Topics Track
The Naked Truth About “Medical”
Marijuana: Translating the Science
into Messages that Matter
Presenters:
• Susan R. Thau, MCRP, Public Policy Consultant,
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
• Thomas J. Gorman, Director, Rocky Mountain High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
Moderator: Nancy Hale, President and CEO,
Operation UNITE