SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health finds slightly fewer teens in Colorado and Washington are using marijuana than in 2012-2013 (prior to the commencement of legal adult marijuana sales)

* Statement below from the Marijuana Policy Project’s Denver-based director of communications, Mason Tvert *

DENVER — The federal government quietly published new national survey data this week that shows rates of teen marijuana use in Colorado and Washington — the first two states to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use — decreased more than the national average in 2014-2015. Fewer teens in the two states are reportedly using marijuana than in 2012-2013, just prior to the commencement of legal adult marijuana sales.    

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2014-2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) on Tuesday along with a press release that did not include any mention of marijuana.

According to the NSDUH:

• In Colorado, the rate of 12-17-year-olds who used marijuana in the past month dropped 1.43 percentage points from 12.56% in 2013-2014 to 11.13% in 2014-2015, compared to 11.16% in 2012-2013. The rate of past-year use dropped 2.46 percentage points from 20.81% in 2013-2014 to 18.35% in 2014-2015, compared to 18.76% in 2012-2013.

• In Washington, the rate of 12-17-year-olds who used marijuana in the past month dropped 0.89 percentage points from 10.06% in 2013-2014 to 9.17% in 2014-2015, compared to 9.81% in 2012-2013. The rate of past-year use dropped 1.92 percentage points from 17.53% in 2013-2014 to 15.61% in 2014-2015, compared to 16.48% in 2012-2013.

• Nationwide, the rate of past-month marijuana use among 12-17-year-olds dropped 0.02 percentage points from 7.22% in 2013-2014 to 7.2% in 2014-2015, and the rate of past-year use dropped 0.42 percentage points from 13.28% to 12.86%.

The overall findings of the NSDUH are in line with those of the annual Monitoring the Future survey sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which were released last week and found little change in rates of teen marijuana use.

“I don’t have an explanation. This is somewhat surprising,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow in an article published last week by U.S. News and World Report. “We had predicted based on the changes in legalization, culture in the U.S. as well as decreasing perceptions among teenagers that marijuana was harmful that [accessibility and use] would go up. But it hasn’t gone up.”

Statement from Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project:

“Survey after survey is finding little change in rates of teen marijuana use despite big changes in marijuana laws around the nation. Colorado and Washington are dispelling the myth that regulating marijuana for adult use will somehow cause an increase in use among adolescents. Legalization opponents will surely continue to make dire predictions about teens, so lawmakers and voters need to be informed about these government reports that invalidate them.

“Decades of arresting and prosecuting countless adults failed to prevent teens from accessing and using marijuana. States like Colorado and Washington are taking a new approach and actually controlling the production and sale of marijuana. Their success has already inspired a handful of other states to adopt similar laws, and more are sure to follow.”

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AUGUSTA, Maine —  Following a recount of 30% of the votes, opponents of Question 1 conceded the election and withdrew their recount request. Possession and home-growing of limited amounts of marijuana will officially become legal for adults 21 years of age and older 30 days after the governor proclaims the election results.

"After counting nearly a third of all the ballots in Maine, it was clear that the recount was not going to change the result. We are grateful that the No on 1 campaign has conceded and look forward to working together towards a successful implementation of Question 1," said Marijuana Policy Project Maine Political Director David Boyer, who served as campaign manager for the Yes on 1 campaign. 

The Maine Secretary of State's office consistently indicated it did not expect much change due to the high precision of Maine's voting machines, which they report to be 99.9% accurate.

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Annual Survey of U.S. Teens Finds Little Change in Marijuana Usage Rates Despite Big Changes in Marijuana Laws

The results of the NIDA-funded Monitoring the Future Survey invalidate claims that reforming marijuana laws will lead to increased teen use

* Statement below from the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization *

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The results of an annual survey of U.S. middle and high school students released Tuesday invalidate claims that reforming marijuana laws and debating legalization will lead to increased marijuana use among teens.

According to the Monitoring the Future Survey sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

•    Among 8th-graders, the rate of past-year marijuana use dropped significantly from 11.8% in 2015 to 9.4% in 2016, its lowest level since 1993. Past-month marijuana use also dropped significantly, from 6.5% in 2015 to 5.4% in 2016, and daily use dropped from 1.1% in 2015 to 0.7% in 2016.

•    Among 10th- and 12th-graders, rates of past-year, past-month, and daily marijuana use remained relatively stable compared to last year.

•    Rates of use among 12th-graders appear to be higher in states with medical marijuana laws than in states without them, but previous studies have found that rates of use were already higher prior to the adoption of such laws.

•    Students’ perception of risk surrounding marijuana remained relatively stable from 2015 to 2016. The perception that marijuana is very easy or fairly easy to access declined slightly for 8th- and 10th-graders, and it increased slightly for 12th-graders.

Since 2012, eight states and the nation’s capital have adopted laws that make marijuana legal for adult use. Since 1996, 28 states have adopted laws that make marijuana legal for seriously ill patients whose doctors recommend it.

Statement from Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project:

“Every time a state considers rolling back marijuana prohibition, opponents predict it will result in more teen use. Yet the data seems to tell a very different story. There has been a sea change in state marijuana laws over the past six years and teen usage rates have remained stable and even gone down in some cases.

“The best way to prevent teen marijuana use is education and regulation, not arresting responsible adult consumers and depriving sick people of medical marijuana. It is time to adopt marijuana policies that are based on evidence instead of fear.”

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WASHINGTON — The Marijuana Policy Project released the following statement Friday in response to President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that he plans to nominate Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as attorney general.

Statement from MPP Director of Communications Mason Tvert:

"President-elect Trump has said on multiple occasions that he respects states’ right to establish their own marijuana policies. We would expect appointees who serve at the pleasure of the president to stick to the president’s position on this subject. It would certainly be controversial if Sen. Sessions completely defied the president who appointed him.

"The vast majority of Americans agree with President-elect Trump’s position that marijuana policy should largely be left to the states. A huge majority of voters share Trumps support for legal access to medical marijuana, and a steadily growing majority believes marijuana should be legal for adults. We remain hopeful that the incoming administration will refrain from interfering in state laws that were adopted by voters or their elected representatives in order to control marijuana and improve the health and safety of their communities. 

"There is a large and growing sentiment in Congress and among the American public that our federal government should not be wasting tax dollars enforcing failed marijuana prohibition laws. We hope Sen. Sessions or whoever is confirmed as our next attorney general will use federal law enforcement resources to protect our country's citizens, not to defy the laws those citizens have adopted."

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I-300 creates a pilot program for permitting private establishments to allow adult cannabis consumption in designated areas. The city will only issue permits to establishments that have received formal support from their officially recognized neighborhood organization or business-improvement district, and recipients will be required to follow a number of guidelines. A full description of I-300 is available at http://socialuse.org.

Statement from Mason Tvert, MPP's Denver-based director of communications and one of the official proponents of I-300:

"This is a groundbreaking law that reflects the shift taking place in the public attitudes toward marijuana. Now that most people recognize marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, they really want to see it treated that way. Denver took the first step a few years ago when it began allowing adults to purchase marijuana legally from regulated businesses. The next step is to provide those adults with places where they can consume it safely and legally. That is exactly what Initiative 300 is going to do.

"By allowing adults to use marijuana in certain private establishments, we can reduce the chances that they are going to use it in public, like on the street or in the park. This is a community-focused measure that ensures neighborhoods will have the final say over what is and is not allowed. We believe this will allow communities and businesses to test the waters to see what works, then move forward with the best plans possible. We are hopeful this will produce a system that can serve as a model for other cities and towns in Colorado and throughout the nation."

Statement from Kayvan S.T. Khalatbari, a Denver business owner and the lead proponent of I-300:

“We are truly grateful to the people of Denver for approving this sensible measure to allow social cannabis use in the city. This is a victory for cannabis consumers who, like alcohol consumers, simply want the option to enjoy cannabis in social settings. It is also a victory for the city of Denver, its diverse neighborhoods and those who don't consume cannabis, as it will reduce the likelihood that adults will resort to consuming in public.

“We are proud that we included provisions in the measure that give communities the opportunity to provide input into the process and requires their support when applying for a permit. This is a thoughtfully drafted law that will be good for consumers and good for our city. We're excited to work with our city departments, neighborhood organizations, business owners and residents to ensure this implementation occurs swiftly and in a manner that is considerate of all stakeholders.”

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Initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Arizona is narrowly trailing with many ballots still to be counted

WASHINGTON — California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada voted to end marijuana prohibition and Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota adopted medical marijuana laws Tuesday in the most momentous election to date for marijuana policy reform. Montana approved an initiative to re-establish patients’ access to medical marijuana providers, which was hindered by state lawmakers, and create a more regulated system of medical marijuana production and distribution.

As of 4:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, an initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona was trailing 48-52, and an initiative to improve Montana’s medical marijuana system was leading 56-44.

Eight states have now adopted laws that legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adult use, and 28 states have adopted comprehensive medical marijuana laws.

Statement from Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project:

“This is the most momentous Election Day in history for the movement to end marijuana prohibition. From Los Angeles to Boston, voters are casting their ballots in favor of sensible marijuana policy reforms. Today’s results are right in line with national polls showing record-high support for making marijuana legal.

“These votes send a clear message to federal officials that it's time to stop arresting and incarcerating marijuana users. Congress must take action to ease the tension between state and federal marijuana laws. Once this new batch of state laws takes effect over the next couple of months, marijuana will be legal in more than half a dozen states, and we expect several more to follow during the 2017-2018 legislative and election cycles. The end of prohibition is near, and it would be a mistake for the federal government to continue waging war on its own nonviolent citizens. How do you ask a DEA agent to be the last man to enforce a mistake?

“Most voters do not think otherwise law-abiding citizens should be criminalized for using a product that is much safer than alcohol. They want marijuana to be sold inside regulated, taxpaying businesses, not on the streets, where sales enrich cartels and drug dealers. There is a general consensus that law enforcement should be fighting serious crimes rather than enforcing failed and deeply unpopular policies.”

For information about each of the ballot initiatives:

Arizona Proposition 205 – https://www.regulatemarijuanainarizona.org

California Proposition 64 – http://www.yeson64.org

Maine Question 1 – https://www.regulatemaine.org

Massachusetts Question 4 – https://www.regulatemassachusetts.org

Nevada Question 2 – https://www.regulatemarijuanainnevada.org

Arkansas Issue 6 – http://bit.ly/2f1Ygpe

Florida Amendment 2 – http://www.unitedforcare.org

North Dakota Measure 5 – http://www.yesonmeasure5.com

Montana Initiative 182 – http://www.yeson182.org

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Representatives from the Marijuana Policy Project — which is playing a leading role in several of the initiative efforts and an assisting role in the others — will be available for interviews leading up to Election Day, throughout Election Night, and in the days that follow

On Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET, Congressman Earl Blumenauer will join the Marijuana Policy Project for a national media teleconference to discuss the outcome of the election and answer questions about what to expect next at the federal and state levels

WASHINGTON — Voters in nine states will decide whether to roll back marijuana prohibition on Tuesday, marking the biggest Election Day in history for marijuana policy reform.

Five states — Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada — are voting on ballot initiatives to regulate and tax marijuana similarly to alcohol for adult use. Three states — Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota — are voting on measures that would establish new laws that regulate medical marijuana. Montana is voting on a measure that would re-establish patients’ access to medical marijuana providers, which was hindered by state lawmakers, and create a more regulated system of medical marijuana production and distribution. See links below for more information about each of the initiatives.

Representatives from the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) will be available for interviews leading up to Election Day, throughout Election Night, and in the days that follow. MPP is the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization, and it is playing a leading role in several of the initiative efforts and an assisting role in the others.

On Wednesday at 12 p.m., Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a leading advocate for changes to federal drug laws, will join MPP for a national media teleconference to discuss the outcome of the election and to answer questions about what to expect next at the federal and state levels. RSVP to media@mpp.org to receive instructions for participating in the teleconference.

Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have adopted laws that legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adult use, and the District of Columbia has removed all penalties for private possession and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana. Twenty-five states have adopted comprehensive medical marijuana laws that allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

Statement from MPP Director of Communications Mason Tvert:

“The record-high number of states voting on marijuana policy this year reflects the record-high level of public support we are seeing for ending marijuana prohibition. Voters from San Diego, California to Portland, Maine agree it is time to stop punishing adults for using marijuana. An even larger majority of Americans support legal access to medical marijuana, including both major party presidential candidates.

“These ballot measures are all big steps forward for the marijuana policy reform movement regardless of their outcome on Election Day. They have led to an invaluable public dialogue about marijuana, the harms caused by its prohibition, and the benefits of adopting a more sensible approach. The debate is steadily shifting from whether marijuana should be ‘legalized’ to how it can best be regulated and taxed for medical and adult use.”

For information about each of the ballot initiatives:

Arizona Proposition 205 – https://www.regulatemarijuanainarizona.org

California Proposition 64 – http://www.yeson64.org

Maine Question 1 – https://www.regulatemaine.org

Massachusetts Question 4 – https://www.regulatemassachusetts.org

Nevada Question 2 – https://www.regulatemarijuanainnevada.org

Arkansas Issue 6 – http://bit.ly/2f1Ygpe

Florida Amendment 2 – http://www.unitedforcare.org

North Dakota Measure 5 – http://www.yesonmeasure5.com

Montana Initiative 182 – http://www.yeson182.org

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New Gallup Poll Finds Support for Making Marijuana Legal in U.S. Has Reached Record High of 60%

Five states — Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada — have begun voting on initiatives to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use

Statement below from the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization

WASHINGTON — A new Gallup poll released Wednesday shows support for making marijuana legal in the U.S. has reached a record high of 60%, up from 58% last year and 50% in 2011.

A national poll released last week by the Pew Research Center also found support is growing, with 57% of Americans saying they think the use of marijuana should be made legal, up from 53% last year.

The news comes as voters in five states begin to vote on ballot initiatives to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use. Early voting began this week in Massachusetts and Nevada, and it began last week in Arizona, California, and Maine.

Statement from Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project:

“Three out of five Americans are ready to end prohibition and adopt a more sensible marijuana policy. Support for making marijuana legal increased among all age groups, from college freshmen to senior citizens. Marijuana is significantly less harmful than alcohol for society. It should come as little surprise that a growing majority of our society wants it to be treated that way.

“Over the past four years, this increase in public support nationwide has manifested itself in major state-level policy changes. Four states and our nation’s capital have voted to make marijuana legal for adults, and five more could do the same in just a few weeks. In several states where ballot measures aren’t an option, legislatures are taking a closer look at this issue than ever before. When it comes to ending marijuana prohibition, the writing is not just on the wall, but also on state ballots and bills throughout the country.”

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National Pew Survey Finds a Growing Majority of Americans (57%) Support Ending Marijuana Prohibition; Only 37% Support Maintaining It

Three states — Arizona, California, and Maine — have begun voting on initiatives to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use; Massachusetts and Nevada to begin voting on similar measures next week

Statement below from the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization

WASHINGTON — A new poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center shows a growing majority of Americans support ending marijuana prohibition. The national survey of more than 1,200 U.S. adults found 57% think the use of marijuana should be made legal, up from 53% last year and 32% in 2006. Just 37% think it should remain illegal, down from 44% last year and 60% in 2006.

The news comes just as voters in three states have begun to vote on ballot initiatives to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use. Early voting begins in Arizona today, and it began in Maine and counties throughout California earlier this week. Massachusetts and Nevada will begin voting on similar measures next week.

Statement from Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project:

“Marijuana prohibition laws were founded upon misinformation, so it comes as little surprise that support for them is now eroding so quickly. There is more credible information out there than ever before, and it has become increasingly accessible over the past decade. As people learn that marijuana is not as dangerous as they were once led to believe, they tend to be supportive of taking a new approach. Now that they know this substance is actually less harmful than alcohol, they want to see it treated that way.

“Voters from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine are standing up and saying enough is enough. States around the country are rolling back prohibition laws and adopting more sensible marijuana policies. It would be nice if the Congress would pick up the pace at the federal level, but in the meantime the states will just have to continue to take the lead.”

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New Poll Finds Colorado Voters Are Still Upbeat About Decision to Regulate and Tax Marijuana for Adult Use; Few Voters Would Support Repealing the Legalization Initiative That Was Approved in 2012

Three out of five Colorado voters say regulating and taxing marijuana has been good for the economy, and one out of four say they have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who works for or with a regulated marijuana business

DENVER — A new poll finds Colorado voters are still upbeat about their decision to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use, and few would support repealing Amendment 64, the legalization initiative approved in November 2012.

The results of the statewide survey, which was conducted earlier this month by Public Policy Polling, contradict claims that have been made by politicians and anti-marijuana groups that are fighting similar laws in other states, according to The Denver Post’s “The Cannabist,” which broke the news of the poll Monday afternoon.

Among the poll’s findings:

• Only about one-third of Colorado voters (36%) would support a measure to repeal Amendment 64 if it were on this year’s ballot.
• More than half of Colorado voters say the law has been good for the state (47%) or had no real impact (9%), and just 39% say it has been bad for the state.
• Three out of five Colorado voters (61%) say Amendment 64 has had a positive impact on the economy, and only 19% say it has had a negative impact.
• More than one out of four Colorado voters (28%) said they have a friend, family member, or acquaintance who has worked either directly for a marijuana business or for non-marijuana businesses that provides products or services to marijuana businesses.
• About one out of four Colorado voters (24%) said they know of a friend, family member, or colleague who is consuming less alcohol because they are now consuming marijuana instead.

"Coloradans can see that regulating marijuana works,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Voters approved Amendment 64 because they wanted marijuana to be controlled and taxed similarly to alcohol, and that is exactly what is taking place. It’s pretty clear that any proposal to repeal it and revert back to prohibition would go down in flames.

“The folks who are trying to keep marijuana illegal in this country tell a lot of scary stories and spread a lot of myths about Colorado,” Tvert said. “If you ask a typical Colorado voter, you’re likely to hear a more positive and realistic account of how things are going.”

Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in November 2012, and it officially became legal for adults 21 and older in the state to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana approximately one month later. Regulated businesses began selling marijuana to adults on January 1, 2014. Voters in five states — Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada — are considering similar ballot measures this November.

“Opponents of Amendment 64 told voters the state would fall apart if they approved Amendment 64, but they could not have been more wrong,” Tvert said. “They said it would hurt the economy, but the economy is booming. They said it would hurt tourism, but we have more visitors spending more money than ever. They said the rate of teen use would increase, but state officials confirm it has not. And they said it wouldn’t actually raise any tax revenue, but it has already exceeded expectations and generated tens of millions of dollars for schools and other important programs.”

A fact sheet regarding the impacts of regulating and taxing marijuana in Colorado is available at http://bit.ly/2cTUcGX.

The Public Policy Polling survey of 629 Colorado voters was commissioned by MPP and conducted from August 31-September 1. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9%. The full results are available at http://bit.ly/2cYMCfc.

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