MARIJUANA’S IMPACT ON SOCIETY Getting In The Weeds

MARIJUANA’S IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Getting In The Weeds

Marijuana Status (Medicinal)- 23 States and DC

California – 1996

Alaska – 1998

Oregon – 1998

Washington – 1998

Maine – 1999

Colorado – 2000

Hawaii - 2000

Nevada – 2000

Montana – 2004

Vermont – 2004

Rhode Island – 2006

New Mexico - 2007

Michigan – 2008

Arizona – 2010

DC – 2010

New Jersey – 2010

Delaware – 2011

Connecticut – 2012

Massachusetts - 2012

Illinois – 2013

New Hampshire – 2013

Maryland – 2014

Minnesota – 2014

New York - 2014

Medicinal Use Recreational Use

23 States and DC11 – Voter Initiative10 – General AssemblyLimitsAlaska – 1 oz. & 6 plantsOregon – 24 oz. & 24

plantsTaxes4 states – no tax8.1% tax – NevadaFees cover the program

Colorado and Washington

Limits vary by state

Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana Status (CBD) - 10 States

AlabamaFloridaIowaKentuckyMississippiMissouriSouth CarolinaTennesseeUtahWisconsin

Cannabidiol Medications

Children with Seizure IssuesCharlotte’s Web (Charlotte Figi)Epidiolex (GW Pharmaceuticals)Mixed Success with EpidiolexScant results with Charlotte’s WebEpilepsy Foundation – Need for more

testing

Georgia and CBD

HB885 – Haleigh’s Hope Act (Rep. Allen Peake) Haleigh Cox – severe form of epilepsy Moved through House but defeated in Senate

Moved forward with medical marijuana study GW Pharmaceuticals and Georgia Regents Allows for a study of cannabis on children with seizure

disorders

Marijuana Status (Recreational)

ColoradoWashington

Moral Issue vs. Policy Issue

Moral

Individually based Effective – based on

personal level

Policy

Public safety

Public health

Society focus

The Art of Persuasion

The CommunicatorCredibility – Is the communicator credible?

Broken bone – Dr. has qualifications and background.Knowledgeable – Does the communicator

understand the subject? Leaky refrigerator – Do you go to your Dr.?

Similar – Do the communicator and I share experiences, cultural background, lifestyle, etc.? Politicians going door to door with the sleeves rolled

up.

Top Communicators of 2012

Michelle Obama Marco Rubio

• Uses personal stories• Exposes vulnerability• Remains clear and

confident in her message

• Uses personal stories• Confident and authentic• Uses humor in

messages

Worst communicators of 2012

Francesco Schettino Todd Akin

Was silent and evasiveFrantic and disheveledLied about the situation

• Legitimate rape comments – insensitive and no basis

• Failure to admit miscue• Polarizing comments


The MessageHow does this effect me?

Cincinnati Reds fanIs it based on emotional or a rational argument?

Which story carries more “umph?”Is the message repeated?

The more times a message is repeated, the more believable it becomes.

Messages are best when using emotion first and then backing it up with stats

Who else endorses this belief? What do other people I admire/respect think?


The AudienceIdentify high involvement vs. low involvement

audiencesYour audience might not just be the person

sitting in front of youListen to the audience and not just prepare

for your next pointMeet them where they are at

High Involvement vs. low involvement

High involvement Low involvement

High involvement product – cars and shampoo

Bought into the positionThe argument really

matters to them on a personal level

Possible large financial or time commitment involved

Low involvement product – gum and tissues

Does not regularly think about the subject

Does not think it affects them personally

Little to no reason to buy in

High involvement vs. low involvement

About 20-30% are high involvementThat means 70-80% are low involvementLow involvement tend to go with the crowdEmotion is strong influencerBrand recognition or the number of times

something is heardStories or stories plus stats are the best way

to persuade

Marijuana Lobbying Groups

National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML)

NORML's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.

Marijuana Policy Project

1. Increase public support for non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.

2. Identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.

3. Change state laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the medical and non-medical use of marijuana.

4. Gain influence in Congress.

Marketing Natural – It grows from the

ground. Medicinal – Shrinks tumors and

treats migraines. There are actual health benefits.

Doctors would love to have the ability to prescribe it.

No one has ever died of an overdose.

Marijuana Messaging

In the late 19th and early 20th Century, tobacco marketers used these tactics.

Natural – Tobacco was a natural product. It was from the ground.

Medicinal – Health benefits of smoking included asthma, head colds and all diseases of the throat.

Doctors Use it. The product must be ok.

No one has ever died of an overdose.

Is History Being Repeated?

Ohio Marijuana Marketing

God Approves Safer Than Peanuts

Is Marijuana Medicine?

Components of marijuana have promise...

Marinol - able to be prescribed

Sativex - final stages of FDA process

Epidiolex – Orphan Drug Law designation

DEA – Over 400 studies about marijuana

What is Medicine?

No one chews willow bark for aspirin...

Smoking opium not used for pain relief...

Compound in viper venom used for blood pressure…

Who Is Impacted? Addiction Services – Maintain Healthy Lifestyle (Prevention,

Treatment and Recovery) Business – Bottom line Children’s Services agencies – Parent readiness and safety of

child Colleges – Financial aid and retention Education – Student testing requirements Healthcare Professionals – Marijuana safety and efficacy Law Enforcement – Public safety and officer/employee issues Legislators – Budget/jobs and then “election-time” issues

Marijuana Policy Project Model Language

Section 4. Protections for the Medical Use of Marijuana. (a)A registered qualifying patient shall not be subject to

arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marijuana pursuant to this chapter, if the registered qualifying patient does not possess more than:

(1)Six ounces of usable marijuana; and

(2) 12 mature marijuana plants and 12 seedlings, if the qualifying patient has not specified that a designated caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marijuana for the qualifying patient.


Section 4A and 1B – IssuesWhat is a “qualifying patient”?

Definition of “qualifying patient” in Section 3(m) - "Qualifying patient" means a person who has been diagnosed by a practitioner as having a debilitating medical condition.

Will children be allowed to be a “qualifying patient”?

How Much Pot?

Six ounces of marijuana – 6 ounces X 54 joints = 324 jointsNormal high is 4-6 hours (420 Magazine)

Continuous high for 54 days12 plants per patient

2-5 pounds per plant (420 Magazine)

Potentially – 20,736 joints3,456 days of continuous high = Almost 9 ½ years of high!

Youth Perception of Marijuana

•"It is harmless and natural, it is only an herb, and it won't affect me long-term"

•"It is not addictive"

•"It doesn't hurt me as much as smoking tobacco"

•"It makes me feel calm"

•"It doesn't affect my thinking or my grades"

•"It's safe because it is used as medicine for cancer and other diseases“

•“Marijuana is safer than sugar.”

New Zealand StudyLoss of 8 IQ Points – Irreversible Peer Reviewed

Realities of Marijuana – Brain Function

Northwestern University

Northwestern Medicine at Northwestern University1. December, 2013 – Brain Abnormalities with Chronic

Use “The younger drug abuse starts, the more abnormal the brain.” Of schizophrenia patients surveyed, 90% used before

schizophrenia set in

2. April, 2016 – Casual Marijuana Use Linked to Brain Abnormalities

Changed the volume, shape and density of gray matter in brain – effects on decision making

“I’ve developed a severe worry about whether we should be allowing anybody under age 30 to use pot unless they have a terminal illness and need it for pain.”

Marijuana Addiction

Is Marijuana Addictive?•1 in 11 adults become addicted•1 in 6 children become addicted (if start under the age of 15)•Nationally – 4 million people addicted to drugs and alcohol

1.2 million addicted to marijuana alone•Psychological addiction•Short term effects of heavy marijuana use include: memory and learning problems, distorted perception, poor problem solving ability, loss of motor skills, etc.•Long term effects of heavy marijuana use include permanent physical changes to the brain and its functions.•Anxious and irritable

Grades and Retention

Maryland School of Public Health (June, 2013)

• Study followed 1200 college students over 10 years

• College students skipped more classes, earned lower grades and dropped out more often

• Unemployment rates higher after college• 15 times or more per month – twice as likely to

have experienced “discontinuous enrollment”

What Can Colleges Do?

Communication strong on campus policiesStudent Life and Residence LifeStudent Health CenterCan students use off campus?Task Force to Look at Marijuana PoliciesStudents joining the workforce – DF Workplace


Section 3f – Designated Caregiver(f) "Designated caregiver" means a person who:

(1) is at least 21 years of age;(2) has agreed to assist with a patient's medical use of marijuana;(3) has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony

offense; and(4) assists no more than five qualifying patients with

their medical use of marijuana.

If my math is right…5 patients who can have 12 plants = 60 plants

2-5 pounds per plant (420 Magazine)120 pounds of potPotentially – 103,680 joints

Section 3d(1-3) and Section 7

(1) cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, or the treatment of these conditions;(2) a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating pain; severe nausea; seizures; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or(3) any other medical condition or its treatment added by the department, as provided for in section 7.

Section 7. Addition of Debilitating Medical Conditions. Any citizen may petition the department to add conditions or treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions listed in section 3(d). The department shall consider petitions in the manner required by department regulation, including public notice and hearing. The department shall approve or deny a petition within 180 days of its submission. The approval or denial of any petition is a final decision of the department subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue are vested in the _____ Court.


Section 3d(1-3) and Section 7 – IssuesIs it easier to delve into what isn’t eligible?What issues does this play into reacting with other medicines?

Is the pain masking a greater disease?What dose is good for which ailment?Who is on the committee to decide what other ailments are eligible?


Marijuana and Rx Drug Overdose Deaths

AMA Journal

Study showed that mm states had 25% lower death rate from opioids

Direct Link?

Study didn’t consider:Opioid treatment admissions Implementation of Naloxone

programsPolicies to reduce opiate

overdoses?

Who are the Patients?

Cancer? HIV?

Who are the Patients?Other StatesMichigan – 128,441 patients and 26,875 caregivers.Arizona – 37,598 patients and 46% of all marijuana patients have been certified by 10 physicians.California – 3% of state population are cardholders.

Approximately 1,000,000 people67% reported daily use

Who Are the Cardholders?

Less than 5% of all patients have the life threatening issues

90-95% use for chronic pain – Not about the 5%

Average cardholder - 32 year old white male with no history of chronic illness and a history of substance abuse

Section 6 – Discrimination Prohibited (a) Except as provided in this chapter, a registered qualifying patient who uses marijuana for medical purposes shall be afforded all the same rights under state and local law, including those guaranteed under ______ [the state’s disability rights law], as the individual would have been afforded if he or she were solely prescribed pharmaceutical medications, as it pertains to:(1) any interaction with a person's employer;(2) drug testing by one's employer; or(3) drug testing required by any state or local law, agency, or government official. (b) (1) The rights provided by this section do not apply to the extent that they conflict with an employer’s obligations under federal law or regulations or to the extent that they would disqualify an employer from a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations.(2) No employer is required to allow the ingestion of marijuana in any workplace or to allow any employee to work while under the influence of marijuana. A registered qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of marijuana solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of marijuana that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.


Section 2G – IssuesIf metabolites are taken away, how do we measure impairment?

Scientific testing is undefined.Roadway safetyEmployers – how safe is their workforce?Crane operators, bus drivers, teachers, etc.


Drug Use Impacts:increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, productivity and job turnover3.6 times the accidents on the job5 times the accidents off the job

Which then effects - BWC ratesInsurance coverageHR responsibilities


Discrimination

• Michigan – Joseph Casias sued his employer

– Case dismissed by Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

• Maine – Brittany Thomas sues Adecco

– ACLU is taking this case up• Colorado – Brandon Coats sued Dish

Network

– Court ruled wasn't illegal firing because marijuana is an illegal drug federally

• WSJ article - "Medical Marijuana Poses Litigation Risk to Employers." (August 15, 2013) – Cost employers between $69,000 and $107,000 in costs, not including any award.

• New Mexico – Employer must pay for pot?

Section 5a(4) – Operating a Motor Vehicle (4) Operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of marijuana, except that a registered qualifying patient or visiting qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of marijuana solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of marijuana that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.


Section 5a(4) – IssuesIf metabolites are taken away, how do we measure impairment?

Scientific testing is undefined.Roadway safetyBiggest problem in pro-pot statesCrane operators, bus drivers, truck drivers, etc.2 ng to 15 ng/ml40% increase in THC in drivers in Washington


Marijuana and Driving

Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers and motor vehicle crash victims. (NHTSA)Fatally injured drivers – 4.2% in 1999 to 12.2% in 2010. (NHTSA)Colorado – 27% of blood tests for impaired driving showed THC. (Colorado Public Safety)3 times as many HS seniors reporting driving after marijuana than after drinking alcohol. (Monitoring the Future)

Teen Driving

Liberty Mutual/SADD survey

• 19% admitted to driving after smoking marijuana

• 36% - marijuana smoking no distraction while driving

• 34% who admitted to smoking while high said it made them a better driver

Marijuana and Driving

NIDA - After alcohol, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, is the substance most commonly found in the blood of impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims.

British Medical Journal - Drivers who smoke marijuana within a few hours of driving are almost twice as likely to get into an accident as sober drivers.

Section 18 – Local Ordinances Nothing shall prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances or regulations not in conflict with this chapter or with department regulations regulating the time, place, and manner of registered compassion center operations and registered safety compliance facilities, provided that no local government may prohibit registered compassion center operation altogether, either expressly or though the enactment of ordinances or regulations which make registered compassion center and registered safety compliance facility operation unreasonably impracticable in the jurisdiction.


Marijuana and Public Safety

ER Admissions374,000 ER visits due solely to marijuana – ER visits increase nationally more than 50% from 2004 to 2011.Between 2005-2011, states with marijuana decrim. laws increased by 30%.Children’s Hospital of Colorado – 2.3% of all poisonings of children under 12 were marijuana-related.

Marijuana and Heart Attacks

-University Hospital of Toulouse in France

Small study – 2006-2010

3x the risk

20 heart attacks and 9 deaths

Caution: In half the cases, the afflicted pot users already had risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol

June, 2014– Harvard Medical School

5 Times Increase of Heart Attack Risk Average Increase Smaller increase if

younger/Larger increase if older “Marijuana causes increased

heart rate, fluctuations in blood pressure, and a decreased ability for the blood to carry oxygen. The heart is both working harder and getting less oxygen, a situation that increases heart attack risk.”

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/default.htm

Pot Pharmacies?

The Real Medicinal Pot Store

Center for Sick and Dying

Center for Sick and Dying

Not Just Smoking…

Marijuana Edibles

Up to 70% THCMore potent than smoking (11% THC)THC Levels are inconsistent, even with packagingMarch 9, 2014 Denver Post – testing showed that labels didn’t match actual THC level

Meet Claude…

Black Cherry Gummy BearTHC Infused100 milligrams of THC per bearColorado law – 10 mg per servingFoot = one serving10 bears per bag

Wyoming College Student

Levy Thamba Pongi – Northwest CollegeAte one marijuana cookie – recommended serving size was 1/6 of a cookie.Jumped out of windowAutopsy – marijuana intoxication was a “significant contributing factor.”

Kristine Kirk

• Husband ate a marijuana candy• Started hallucinating• Told wife to shoot him• On phone with 911, he shot her

Questions?

Contact information

Tony Coder

Drug Free Action Alliance

6155 Huntley Road, Suite H

Columbus, OH 43229

[email protected]

614-540-9985

www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org/marijuana

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

MARIJUANA’S IMPACT ON SOCIETY Getting In The Weeds