Marijuana use among teenagers did not increase the year after the states of Colorado and Washington voted to legalize recreational marijuana, according to fact sheets supplied by the health departments of both states.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) circulated these documents last Tuesday to push back against Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) claims that states that have legalized recreational marijuana have witnessed an increase in youth marijuana use.
“Marijuana is now the number one reason kids enter treatment for substance abuse – more than alcohol, cocaine, heroin, met, ecstasy, and other drugs combined,” said MSMS CEO Julie Novak.
A Healthy Kids Colorado Survey from 2015 showed self-reported marijuana use among teenagers being higher before marijuana was legalized in 2014 (43 percent used at least once in their live in 2009) than after (38 percent used at least once in their lives in 2015).
In Washington, the 2016 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey said rates of teen marijuana use “remained steady, despite the changing landscape.”
“It’s important that families can have open and honest discussions with their children about the dangers of abusing any substance,” said CRMLA spokesperson Josh Hovey. “Those conversations need to happen whether Proposal 1 passes or not. But we are confident that bringing marijuana out of the shadows and into the regulated marketplace will help keep marijuana out of the hands of youth and ensure that products sold to adults are safe.”
However, Ben Cort, a Colorado-based addictive treatment specialist, said the big corporate marijuana industry targets youths in the Rocky Mountain State through such products as gummy bears, ice cream and gum along with marijuana-infused water, coffee and tea.
“Absolutely anything you can imagine,” Cort said last Tuesday morning on Michigan’s Big Show. “If it can be introduced in the human body, it’s being commercially produced in Colorado with THC, tampons and suppositories notwithstanding.”
Catholics, Medical Society Oppose Legal Pot
The Michigan Catholic Conference’s Board of Directors (MCC) unanimously voted against the legalization of recreational marijuana last Tuesday, citing the “harm it may cause for Michigan families, health outcomes, communities and workers” if adopted.
Likewise, the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), which represents 15,000 doctors, also came out against Proposal 1 on the basis that such a proposal is “dangerous.”
Proposal 1 would allow those 21 and older to possess marijuana. They could grow up to 12 plants in their house and possess up to 10 ounces of pot at a time. The marijuana would be sold in a regulated market and taxed at 10 percent.
The MCC Board, which includes diocesan bishops, viewed the proposal through the lens of whether the measure “promotes the common good and uplifts the moral fiber of the state.” From that standpoint, the MCC Board said no. Referring to a policy document released last Tuesday, the MCC said Proposal 1 “would not protect youth, improve family life or health nor will it improve communities or make people better workers.”
Who Is Not Supporting Legal Pot?
In addition to the organized opposition of law enforcement and public health groups, the latest internal polling data reveals which sub-groups of the electorate are not fond of legalized pot.
The profile of the “no” voters include those with a high school education or less, men and women over the age of 50, Republicans, folks who live Up North and seniors over 65.
If you break down the numbers, only 42 percent of the high school grads are voting yes, according to the latest EPIC-MRA survey done for the Detroit Free Press and assorted television stations. For men over 50, 42 percent are voting yes and 52 percent are against it. For female women over 50, it’s 48 to 49 percent “no.” Seniors over 65 are more strident in their opposition with a 36 percent yes vote and a 58 percent no vote.
Up in Trump country, northern residents who like the president are 43 percent yes. Those who are not found of Trump like Proposal 1 at a 63 percent clip. Union members don’t like it by a 42- to 54-percent.
On the plus side, the issue wins in Detroit (60 to 40 percent), Macomb County (65 to 33 percent), Oakland County (61 to 34 percent) and Wayne County (56 to 42 percent). Non-union members favor it 57 to 39 percent. College degree holders like it 54 to 41 percent. Those with some post-high school vote yes 62 to 34 percent.
Based on income, it passes with everyone earning under $25,000 to those dragging in over $100,000 a year.
Republicans are 39 percent yes. Democrats are 68 percent yes. Independents 58 percent happy. This poll shows 66 percent support in the African American community. Whites have it winning 53 to 43 percent.
Liberals are all in with 80 percent support. Among moderates, it passes 53 percent. Among conservatives, it’s 39 percent “yes.” Those between 18 and 34 provide the largest margin of support with 85 percent yes and 14 percent no.
Among voters who rank health care as their number one issue, 64 percent think marijuana should be legal.