TRUST THE DATA
Since the legalization of marijuana in 2000, things have changed. Many voted yes because decriminalizing marijuana was the right thing to do for those unfairly targeted by the war on drugs. Unfortunately, the industry has used legalization to concentrate marijuana and commercialize a much harder drug. Peer-reviewed, published studies show that high-THC drugs cause significant harm to those with developing brains. We know Boulder youth can buy any-strength marijuana with almost no barriers, due to social selling enabled by loopholes. The heartbreak and despair of lives diminished or cut short is a price many will pay. We must all bear the societal costs.
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Boulder should not expand marijuana with
recreational delivery or social consumption.
KEY TREND CONCERNS
COLORADO CURRENTLY HOLDS THE TOP RANKING FOR FIRST-TIME MARIJUANA USE AMONG YOUTH, REPRESENTING A 65% INCREASE IN THE YEARS SINCE LEGALIZATION (NSDUH 2006-2017)
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COLORADO TOXICOLOGY REPORTS SHOW THE PERCENTAGE OF ADOLESCENT SUICIDE VICTIMS TESTING POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA HAVE INCREASED
[COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT (CDPHE) 2017]
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COLORADO’S TEEN SUICIDE RATE INCREASED 58% FROM 2016-2019, THE HIGHEST INCREASE
IN THE COUNTRY (UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION)
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THC IS THE NUMBER ONE DRUG FOUND IN COLORADO TEENS 15-19 WHO DIED BY SUICIDE IN 2017​
(CDPHE VIOLENT DEATH REPORTING SYSTEM)
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THC POTENCY IN CONCENTRATE DRUGS HAS INCREASED MORE THAN 800% SINCE 2010
(CDPHE 2020)
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HIGH-POTENCY THC USE IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED SEVERITY OF DEPENDENCE, ESPECIALLY IN YOUNG PEOPLE. (FREEMAN TP AND WINSTOCK AR. PSYCH MED 2015;45:3181-3189)
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MULTIPLE STUDIES SHOW SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH HIGH THC: ADDICTION, PSYCHOSIS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SLEEP PROBLEMS, SUICIDE, VIOLENCE (SEE ARTICLES AND STUDIES BELOW)
In November 2020,
New Zealanders successfully defeated a national referendum on marijuana legalization that relied heavily on Colorado data that have emerged since legalization.
