CLEARING THE HAZE A four-day perspective series about recreational and medical marijuana in Colorado.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a reprint of the series published in the Colorado Springs Gazette Sunday, March 22 through Wednesday, March 25, 2015 To order copies of this reprint (printed or digitally) visit gazette.com/clearingthehaze $2.49 2 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

DAY ONE: REGULATION ABOUT THE SERIES Two important assumptions about successful legalization of marijuana in Colorado were: After the first year of recreational pot sales, The Gazette takes a comprehensive look at the 1.) Regulation would provide a safer solution to the state’s drug problems. unintended consequences of legalizing sales and use of recreational marijuana. 2.) By regulating the sale of marijuana, the state could make money otherwise locked up in the Day 1: Colorado has a fragile scheme for regulating legal marijuana and implementing a state black market. drug prevention strategy. Today’s stories suggest the net gain from taxes and fees related to marijuana sales will not be Day 2: One of the suppositions about legalizing pot was that underground sales would be known for a while, as costs are not known or tracked well, and there are many other un- curtailed, but officials say there is evidence of a thriving black market. knowns about pot’s effects on public health and safety. Day 3: One teen’s struggle to overcome his marijuana addiction shows how devastating the drug can be for younger, more vulnerable users. And employers face new workplace issues. Editor’s Note: See the full series, including related videos, at gazette.com/clearingthehaze. To order a Day 4: Amid the hoopla about recreational marijuana sales, the medical marijuana industry is reprint, email [email protected], visit the website or call 719-636-0291. flourishing and has its own set of complicated concerns. Analyzing the grand experiment Advocates told the people of claimed that Colorado has done and national experts in law marijuana at local high schools. es of legalization, including more Colorado that legalization of a “phenomenal job” regulating enforcement, medicine and Medical professionals told arrests for driving under the marijuana would unclog prisons, marijuana. public policy about Colorado’s us about marijuana’s harmful influence, lawsuits against the help fund education, produce The Gazette created a special experiment with legal sales and effects on the developing brains state, manufacturing hazards, new revenue for the general project team made up of edito- use of medical and recreational of teens and young adults. Drug workplace issues, impact on re- fund and hobble drug cartels. An rial board staff and a seasoned marijuana. We looked at data the treatment centers report spikes sources for the homeless popula- important part of the new plan reporter to look into these state has compiled and consult- in admissions since legalization. tion, and concerns over exposure and theme for the passage of claims and compare them to in- ed with drug users, their families Meanwhile, tax revenues have and availability to children. Amendment 64 was that regula- formation compiled after a year and their friends. failed to meet projections. While We hope this examination of tion was a better idea to mitigate of legal recreational marijuana Unlike Denver and several oth- the public reads about how Colorado since legalization will marijuana’s effects on our state. sales in Colorado. We wanted to er cities, Colorado Springs did much tax revenue legalization provide a new perspective on an The state and national media examine whether the claims of not approve recreational sales has generated, state leaders have issue that may shape up to be a have reported on the progress legalization are on a path to be- of marijuana. Yet our research provided no adequate cost-ben- public health, safety and policy of Colorado’s grand experiment, coming realized. We also looked found a flourishing black market efit analysis to quantify costs quagmire for the ages. describing it mainly as a for- for stories that have not been re- of recreational pot procured associated with the drug’s use ward-thinking renaissance. In a ported to create a clearer picture as medicine and resold on the and abuse. Colorado isn’t even The reporting team: editorial board nationally televised “60 Minutes” of the state of the industry. street. One teenager spoke in equipped to gather such data. members Pula Davis and Wayne broadcast, a Colorado-based Gazette researchers have detail about clearing more than There are also numerous re- Laugesen and local reporter marijuana industry executive spoken with local, regional $1,000 a day by selling medical ports of unintended consequenc- Christine Tatum. No tax windfall from medical, retail sales A year ago, Colorado’s governor’s office had grand plans to fund programs and resources aimed at protecting public safety and health in the aftermath of legal- ized retail pot sales. The state anticipated a mari- juana tax windfall from medical and recreational sales to pay for it all — and Gov. John Hickenloop- er called for nearly $100 million for prevention and treatment programs, including a project aimed at analyzing the correlation between marijuana use during pregnancy and birth defects. “Our administration is commit- ted to the responsible regulation of adult-use marijuana and the effective allocation of resources to protect public safety and health and to prevent underage use,” reads a Feb. 18, 2014, funding request for fiscal year 2014-15 that the governor signed. “Indeed, we view our top priority as creating an environment where negative impacts on children from mar- ijuana legalization are avoided completely.” Along with legalizing pot in Colo- rado, voters approved Proposition AA, which tacked on high taxes to retail marijuana — a 15 percent excise tax to fund school capital projects and a 10 percent sales THE ASSOCIATED PRESS tax to offset costs associated with Glass jars with marijuana sit on a counter as sales associate Matt Hart works at the 3D Dispensary on Dec. 19 in Denver. Retail sales haven’t retail pot, such as regulation. provided as much tax revenue as expected, and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights could further affect the amount of money the state receives. But sales haven’t matched expec- tations, and complications result- approve — which Hoover believes tax collections — not including Law to develop expertise on retail regulations for retail and medical ing from Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill they did when they approved licenses and fees — will ring in regulations and provide training sales of marijuana. of Rights, or TABOR, could further Amendment 64 and Proposition around $77.8 million. for regulators and law enforce- • $5.6 million for a statewide affect the amount of money the AA, which imposed taxes to fund None of this is to say a lot of ment. public education campaign. state receives. It’s possible some school capital projects and mari- pot isn’t being sold. It’s just that • $42.3 million ($16.9 million Freedman said the “Good to of the money collected could be juana enforcement. Coloradans have been savvy about from the general fund and the rest Know” campaign, which currently refunded to voters. Last month, state officials re- where they shop or how they get federal funds) for the Department tells people how to use the drug Taxpayers may get two refunds leased tax figures on recreational their pot. Some grow their own of Health Care Policy and Financ- safely and legally, will expand. under TABOR. and medical sales for 2014, which (adults are allowed to have up to ing for substance-abuse initiatives, “There will be a youth prevention One refund occurs when state amounted to roughly $63.4 mil- six plants), and others choose to including treatment and preven- message coming out, I believe, in revenue exceeds revenue cap. The lion. Tack on additional licenses make their purchases at medical tion programs in 230 schools. late spring,” he said. There also second occurs when a new tax and fees and Colorado’s total take marijuana dispensaries, where the That roughly $100 million plan will be more education on mari- is imposed, such as the taxes on was about $76 million. drug isn’t subject to the extra was drastically modified. juana edibles in ensuing rollouts marijuana, and the amount that The 15 percent excise tax ded- 25 percent in taxes. “We ended up with much closer of the campaign. officials believe will be collected is icated for schools — projected That was an unexpected conse- to a $33.5 million budget for this • The Department of Education not met. alone to raise $40 million — has quence to many people who have fiscal year,” said Andrew Freed- is getting $2.5 million to fund “TABOR required you do a sec- generated about one-third of followed the marijuana tax money man, director of the Governor’s health professionals in schools ond thing,” explained Tim Hoover, original estimates. Excise taxes — everyone from former Colorado Office of Marijuana Coordination. to identify and help kids at risk communications director for the totaled $13.3 million from Jan. 1 Attorney General John Suthers to Freedman said the first priority for drug use. Freedman said the Colorado Fiscal Institute. “You say through Dec. 31, according to data legislative economists. for the tax revenue is to cover money is paired with $6.3 million what the total state revenue would from the Colorado Department of The original plan to spend mari- regulatory costs at the Depart- for school-based prevention and be without the new taxes, so if this Revenue. juana tax revenue included: ment of Revenue and the Colorado intervention services; $2.1 million marijuana tax didn’t pass, how The 2014-15 fiscal year, which • $11 million for the Department Department of Public Health and of that is a federal match. much money would you still have.” began July 1, is shaping up a bit of Education to pay for more Environment. • $2 million to Tony Grampsas The legislative council’s estimate better. Between July 1 and Dec. 31, school resource officers and pro- Money also has been spent on Youth Services for prevention of of taxes the marijuana industry the state collected $38.9 million in grams to address mental health youth prevention, public safety marijuana use among youths. would generate was off by taxes from recreational and med- and substance abuse prevention. and public health programs relat- • $2 million for jail-based behav- 1 percent, so the money must be ical sales, a monthly average of • $32.2 million for the Depart- ed directly to marijuana. ioral programs. returned, Hoover said. nearly $6.5 million. If tax revenues ment of Human Services for Here’s where some tax money is • $2 million for prediversion pro- The state can keep the tax money hold steady for the remaining six substance abuse programs. going in the current fiscal year: grams at the local level, offering collected if it’s shown that voters months of the current fiscal year, • $456,760 for the Department of • $7.6 million to enforce current alternatives to incarceration. PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 3

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulation, talks during a news con- ference Feb. 19 in Denver in reaction to the an- nouncement that a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Colorado citizens by a Washington, D.C.-based group to shut down the state’s marijuana industry. The lawsuit is being sponsored by a group called the Safe Streets Alliance, which oppos- es marijuana legalization.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Regulation still ineffective A year after legalization of recreational marijuana, questions remain about seed-to-sale monitoring

The promises of Colorado’s Legalization of rec- vately held businesses, awarding “... Colorado still • Local addiction treatment Amendment 64 largely hinged on 16 licenses for testing facilities by centers are reporting more ad- two words blazing from campaign reational marijuana the end of last year. But such test- operates in a zone of missions for marijuana addiction. signs dotting the state before the was “reckless” and ing is not required for marijuana not knowing what it Among them is the CU adult-treat- historic November 2012 vote that and THC-infused products used ment hospital, which continues legalized recreational marijuana “a bad idea.” for medical purposes — the bulk doesn’t know about to track numbers, said Cort, the for people 21 and older: Regula- of Colorado’s marijuana market. marijuana and the center’s director of professional tion works. John Hickenlooper, • Colorado officials have not relations. But how it would work was de- Colorado governor released even aggregate data expansion of drug • Colorado hospitals are report- scribed only in general terms and showing the potency of marijuana legalization...” ing sharp increases in the number sound bites before voters headed sold in accordance with state law. of children admitted for marijua- to the polls to make a decision “But the ugly truth is that Colora- The problem of determining the Marco Vasquez, Erie police chief na exposure, including accidental Gov. John Hickenlooper later do was suckered. It was promised impact of Colorado’s legal mar- and member of a governor- ingestion. A state committee would call “reckless” and “a bad regulation and has been met by ijuana runs much deeper than appointed marijuana task force charged with rule-making for idea” and new Colorado Attorney an industry that fights tooth and what state officials are able to edibles disbanded in November General Cynthia Coffman declared nail any restrictions that limit its report. The state does not have the without reaching consensus. “not worth it” to dozens of state profitability. Just like Big Tobacco funding, tools or training to gauge information are many months • Black-market sales are boom- attorneys general last month. before it, the marijuana industry marijuana legalization’s impact on — and maybe years — away from ing at such high rates that they’ve The pro-Amendment 64 cam- derives profits from addiction — public resources and communi- being determined, said Marco been blamed for cannabis tax paign’s website claimed that “by state officials euphemistically call ties. Fully equipping state guard- Vasquez, chief of the Erie Police revenues that are tens of millions regulating marijuana like alcohol, that heavy use — and its survival ians of public health and safety to Department and a task force of dollars short of initial projec- Colorado can further reduce teen depends on turning a percentage collect and analyze this data must member. tions and campaign slogans. While marijuana use, minimize teens’ of kids into lifelong customers.” become a priority, said Ed Wood, “While the commercial marijua- speaking to a conference of other access to marijuana, reduce ex- The costs of launching a reg- director of DUID Victim Voices, na industry continues to ramp up, attorneys general last month, posure to more dangerous drugs ulatory scheme for the sale and a national group advocating for Colorado still operates in a zone of Coffman blasted legalization and take sales out of the hands of distribution of cannabis were any- stronger drugged-driving laws. not knowing what it doesn’t know advocates’ linchpin argument that criminals.” one’s guess — and they still are as “Colorado owes it to our country about marijuana and the expan- regulating sales would eliminate After the first year of the drug’s Colorado navigates its second year to accurately and fully report on sion of drug legalization, and peo- the black market, reduce associ- recreational legalization, profes- of the drug’s legalization for recre- marijuana’s consumption, sale, ple are getting hurt,” said Vasquez, ated criminal activity and free up sionals working on the front lines ational use. Potential, unexpected distribution and societal impact, who is also a former director of law enforcement agencies’ resourc- of marijuana’s impact — at police costs are on the horizon as Colo- but that level of data do not exist investigations for the Colorado es. “Don’t buy that argument,” she departments, addiction treatment rado is mired in legal questions and may never exist if Americans Division of Medical Marijuana En- said, according to U.S. News & centers, child welfare organiza- about lower-than-projected tax don’t demand greater accountabil- forcement. “Voters were sold a bill World Report. “The criminals are tions — say Colorado put com- revenues and suits filed against ity of this state,” said Wood, whose of goods, and I don’t think they still selling on the black market. merce ahead of kids, communities, it by the state governments of tireless voice in state legislative really understand what they did. … We have plenty of cartel activity public health and safety. The state Nebraska and Oklahoma and a halls has demanded better data “The industry behind it is in Colorado (and) plenty of illegal opened itself up for the drug’s group of sheriffs.. Those states’ collection and reporting since his another Big Tobacco that has activity that has not decreased at trade without establishing and attorneys general have asked to son was killed by a drugged driver. millions and millions of dollars to all.” enforcing many crucially import- appear before the U.S. Supreme State marijuana regulators have spend on influencing media and • More than 30 hash-oil explo- ant limits and without adequately Court to explain why Colorado’s focused less on analyzing the public policy — which will always sions occurred last year, prompt- funding the data collection and regulation not only isn’t working data they have collected, choosing outpace the findings of reputable ing local and state authorities analysis required for Colorado — but is harming their states and the instead to direct most of their science and the public workings of to call for laws prohibiting oil and the rest of the United States rest of the country. time and resources to keeping government.” production in residential homes. — to determine whether marijua- Indeed, Colorado hasn’t lived up the state’s cannabis industry Since the opening of recreational At the end of last month, Colorado na legalization is wise. to many of the basics of the regu- from forcing the hands of federal pot shops on Jan. 1, 2014, some Springs authorities responded to a Colorado officials can’t even say latory framework approved by the officials who have opted not to en- data support that regulation is not fire caused by hash-oil extraction how much marijuana is produced state Legislature in 2013 and 2014, force federal law. It’s an abdication having its intended effect: in a home just south of the Uni- and sold in the state because a much less to the campaign promis- of responsibility in Washington, • Colorado youths remain among versity of Colorado at Colorado black market continues to thrive. es of Amendment 64. State reports D.C., that former Attorney General the nation’s heaviest cannabis Springs. “We’d never even heard of The seed-to-sale tracking program do not answer many questions John Suthers has noted in defense users, with usage increasing at the a hash-oil explosion before mari- highly touted by state officials and about how marijuana is produced, of Colorado against the legal chal- second-highest rate in the nation. juana legalization,” said Vasquez, marijuana-industry leaders does sold, distributed and used: lenges mounted by Nebraska and They use strains of the drug wide- the Erie police chief. not address diversion of the drug • The state has not launched Oklahoma. ly considered among the world’s • Colorado is only beginning to after the point of sale. a system to test marijuana and Then there are the data Colorado most potent. Denver schools learn how to collect information “I realize the story keeps chang- THC-infused foods and drinks, officials know the state does not reported a 7 percent increase in about marijuana-related driving ing and that plenty of people now called “edibles,” for contaminants. collect and must if it is ever going drug-related arrests on campus arrests. In 2014, the Colorado want to describe abject regulatory It promises to do so this year. to have a shot at understanding during the 2013-14 school year State Patrol issued 674 marijuana- failures as an experiment or one • In the past year, tests conduct- the impact of the drug’s legaliza- over the previous year, jumping related driving citations. The big startup experiencing typical ed by news organizations have tion. In January, a governor- from 452 to 482 arrests. Middle agency typically issues about growing pains,” said Ben Cort, found discrepancies between appointed task force started meet- schools across Colorado reported 20 percent of the state’s DUI cita- director of professional relations the potency levels recorded on ing to determine the priorities and 951 drug violations, a 10-year re- tions each year. for the Center for Addiction Re- marijuana product packaging and processes for gathering marijuana- cord. County and state education Then there are the more mun- covery and Rehabilitation at the the goods inside. Colorado has related data. The costs of procur- officials attribute the increases to — University of Colorado Hospital. outsourced potency testing to pri- ing, analyzing and reporting that marijuana. SEE REGULATION • PAGE 4 4 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE Addressing driver impairment difficult In Colorado, if you drive while Department and a member of going to be reported.” impaired by drugs such as THE IMPACT OF POT ON TRAFFIC a state task force appointed to Law enforcement officers, marijuana, you can be arrested • Overall, traffic fatalities in Colorado decreased 14.8 percent from identify data the state of Colorado including Simpson and Vasquez, and charged with a DUI. But the 2007 to 2012. During the same five years in Colorado, traffic fatalities needs to gather and analyze to de- give many reasons for this. Among logistics of determining a driver’s involving operators testing positive for marijuana increased termine marijuana’s impact on key them: level of THC (marijuana’s active 100 percent. aspects of public health and safety. • The difficulty of determin- ingredient) impairment have yet • In 2007, Colorado traffic fatalities involving operators testing positive “And while many voters might ing THC impairment. There are to be standardized, and there is no for marijuana represented 7.04 percent of the total traffic fatalities. By have been well-intentioned, I don’t no Breathalyzer equivalents to continuity in reporting arrest data 2012, that number more than doubled to 16.53 percent. think they understood how diffi- determine marijuana impairment for marijuana impairment. • The Colorado State Patrol DUID program, initiated in 2014, shows that cult, resource-intensive and costly easily, and because many drivers The state’s marijuana driving in the first six months of 2014: the enforcement of just marijuana pulled over on suspicion of THC impairment limits could be en- - 77 percent (349) of the 454 DUIDs involved marijuana. driving laws — forget all of the impairment register at less than tirely too high. A recently released - 42 percent (191) of the 454 DUIDs involved marijuana only. other marijuana enforcement that the state’s 5 nanogram limit, con- report issued by the Colorado - According to Colorado Department of Transportation Drug Recog- has to happen — would be.” victions are difficult to land. Department of Public Health and nition Experts coordinator Robin Rocke, in 2013, 192 DREs completed DUI enforcement shines a harsh “So even when we see reason to Environment is at odds with that 531 impaired-driving evaluations of which 330 (62.15 percent) were for light on one of the chief fallacies of stop someone, we also know the limit. State officials also concede marijuana as confirmed by toxicology results. marijuana-legalization supporters’ system isn’t set up to necessarily the toll THC takes on road safety SOURCE: ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA REPORT claims, said Vasquez, who served as be able to do anything about it,” is likely underreported and that former chief of investigations for Vasquez said. Colorado’s law enforcement agen- the Colorado Division of Medical • The cost of testing. A Breatha- cies and the Colorado Department of Marijuana Coordination. “While nation with alcohol. Blood-alcohol Marijuana Enforcement. lyzer and related analysis typically of Transportation aren’t equipped fatality data associated with mar- content can be tested on the side “When it comes to driving, mari- costs a department around $30, to gather the data needed to deter- ijuana use are available, there is of the road with a Breathalyzer, but juana is not necessarily safer than while the blood tests required to mine a full and accurate scope of limited information on accidents the same is not true for marijuana.” alcohol — and in practice, (law help determine THC impairment the problem. not involving fatality or serious Medical experts warned state enforcement) officers all over the cost around $300, Vazquez said. “The challenges with the data injury.” lawmakers that even 1 nanogram state will tell you that they’re see- • The time required to investi- are that reporting is not specific Then, there’s this from the same of THC per milliliter of whole ing people using both substances, gate possible marijuana impair- to marijuana, there are not clear report: blood could double the risk of a which is even worse,” he said. ment. Because the state is still standards for reporting marijua- “Based on several review pa- car accident. Officers across the state agree. ramping up training to put more na impairment, and there is not pers, it is estimated that there is a Nevertheless, the state Legisla- Among them is Sgt. Craig Simpson officers certified in drug recog- consistency or standardization in twofold increase in the risk of an ture set the THC impairment limit of the Colorado Springs Police nition on patrol, even one traffic reporting from local levels to the accident if there is any measurable five times higher. Department, who said that even stop for a suspected THC- Colorado Department of Transpor- amount of THC in the blood- “The current policies are not when an officer suspects a driver impaired driver can take an officer tation,” states a September report stream. Risks can be even higher rooted in science,” said Marco is impaired by alcohol and canna- who is not certified in DRE off his released by the Governor’s Office when marijuana is used in combi- Vasquez, chief of the Erie Police bis, “typically, just the alcohol is or her beat for several hours.

REGULATION

FROM PAGE 3 — dane problems faced by Colora- dans like John and Lisa Young and their teen daughter, who couldn’t escape the odor of marijuana wafting into their Lakewood apartment from a neighboring unit. The couple insisted the management firm supervising the property enforce its stated ban on the drug’s use — living up to the drug-free-community signs posted in its administrative offices — or move their family to a unit where they wouldn’t be bothered by the odor of pot. At the end of their nine-month lease last year, the Youngs and the property manage- ment firm agreed that the Youngs needed to live somewhere else. “At every level of governance — from the state Legislature and governor’s office to homeown- ers’ associations — Colorado has shown many times in just one year that it cannot muster the political will to regulate legal marijuana as it must be, that it doesn’t have the resources to enforce many of the regulations on the books,” Lisa Young said. The current level of regulation effectiveness may have been foretold. In January 2013, debates among members of a governor-appointed PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS task force charged with recom- Partygoers dance and smoke pot during the annual 4/20 marijuana festival April 19 in Denver, with the state Capitol building visible in the mending to state lawmakers rules background. Ten sheriffs from three states sued Colorado on March 5 for legalizing the sales and use of marijuana. for the implementation of Amend- ment 64 focused more on money “We have plenty of of parents identified the No. 1 than on matters of public health place where it should be permis- and safety. cartel activity in sible to advertise marijuana as When task force members “nowhere.” ranked eight primary “principles” Colorado (and) plenty Today, marijuana is advertised on which their deliberations of illegal activity that locally in free publications avail- were to focus, “Be responsive to able in convenience stores, on consumer needs and issues” was has not decreased at prominent storefront signs and on placed second only to “Developing all.” 24/7 social media networks and guidance for certain relationships, websites. “Sesame Street’s” be- such as employer/employee … ” Cynthia Coffman, loved Cookie Monster recently was — an area of cannabis regulation Colorado attorney general painted on the wall of Wellstone that remains fraught with prob- Medical Marijuana, a Colorado lems for Colorado employers. Springs dispensary — but quickly Last on the list? “Promote the Consider: removed after lawyers for Sesame health, safety and well being of • High percentages of parents Workshop sent a cease and desist Colorado youth.” What else ranked (90 percent of Colorado parents letter. lower on the list than “consumer and 91 percent of Washington “Cognitive dissonance. That’s needs?” This principle: “Ensure A year after legalization, the state does not test marijuana- and parents) said marijuana should what I see here,” Suthers said of our streets, schools and communi- THC-infused edibles, although it promises to do so this year. be banned in public places where the survey’s results during the ties remain safe.” tobacco is banned. Today, public 2013 presentation. “You can’t say In early March 2013, the New 18 and older — and specifically and co-founder of the Philadel- use of the drug is illegal, but po- you want legalized marijuana and York-based drug-abuse-prevention parents surveyed — expected. phia-based Treatment Research lice in Colorado Springs — where then you don’t want your kids advocacy group The Partnership The research findings were Institute. recreational sales are prohibited exposed to it.” He added: “His- at drugfree.org released a survey announced in July 2013 at the The panel noted that while Col- — wrote 52 citations for public tory (with alcohol and tobacco) of 1,603 adults living across the University of Denver, where a cou- oradans surveyed expressed sup- pot smoking last year, and Denver suggests we’re not going to be very country — 200 of whom were ple of hundred people gathered to port for tight cannabis regulation, County reported a 451 percent successful at (banning the com- Coloradans with children ages learn more about the challenges they may not have understood increase in public use citations. mercialization of a legal industry). 10-19, and 200 of whom were par- of regulating legal cannabis from what a large and complex under- Vaporizers and e-cigarette devices Don’t count on any corporate ents of children in the same age an expert panel that included taking that would be. have made it difficult to police responsibility. Don’t look for the range in Washington state, which former Colorado Attorney Gen- “Horribly naive,” McLellan said public use. online folks to cooperate. also voted to legalize recreational eral Suthers and former senior during an interview after the • Of Colorado parents surveyed, “I just don’t want anybody to fall cannabis. The survey provided White House drug policy adviser event. “It appears people here are 87 percent said “marijuana adver- into this notion that we are going one of the first glimpses of the re- Tom McLellan, a world-recog- horribly naive about how regula- tising should still be banned.” And to regulate this and everything is strictions on cannabis that adults nized substance abuse researcher tion works and what it costs.” when forced to choose, a majority going to be fine.” PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 5

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT State prevention efforts criticized A governor-appointed task force places promotion of safe use over prevention of use by youths

In one of the neatly maintained, Environment, “Good to Know” so brick buildings lining a street on far is telling people not to avoid the campus of the Colorado Men- marijuana use but, rather, to use tal Health Institute at Fort Logan the drug responsibly. The tactic in southwest Denver is a hive mirrors the alcohol industry-driv- of offices where about 60 state en “Drink Responsibly” cam- employees focus on the prevention paigns that have been shown to and treatment of mental health increase alcohol use, Crano said. problems, including substance “It’s an old and dirty trick the abuse and addiction. alcohol industry loves — and Their work in the Office of pays many millions of dollars for Behavioral Health is cut out for because it’s obviously working for them in Colorado, home to some their bottom line,” he said. of the highest drug-use rates in “The message isn’t prevention; the nation and one of the coun- it’s about creating acceptance try’s worst track records for public of alcohol use, which drives up funding of mental health care, sales. So, Colorado isn’t prevent- especially for youths. The state al- LABRAT.COM ing marijuana use. It’s now in the most entirely bankrolls the office’s Colorado’s “Don’t Be a Lab Rat” campaign features messages such as this one about marijuana’s effects business of promoting it.” efforts to prevent substance abuse on the still-developing teenage brain. Many of the state’s addiction and addiction with an $8.3 million treatment providers, substance federal grant. na” — the state’s preferred term industry executives has been a that is transposed over footage of prevention professionals and How much did Colorado budget for recreational marijuana. consistent method employed by youths who appear to be having a advocates working in their com- in fiscal 2014-15 for the office’s Unlike the OBH, where ev- the CDPHE and governor’s office great time as they smoke pot. munities to reduce drug use and substance prevention work? About ery staff member is a certified when developing prevention and “It was all just so stupid because abuse also say the CDPHE and the $34,000. prevention specialist holding public awareness campaigns. there was no clear prevention Governor’s Office of Marijuana “Let’s just say this state talks an internationally recognized The latter issued this edict when messaging,” said William Crano, a Coordination have given marijua- a good game about wanting to credential, employees at the helm searching for a creative team to professor of psychology at Cla- na industry representatives too prevent problems but ultimately of Colorado’s marijuana preven- produce its three-week, $2 million remont Graduate University in much influence. Among them is aligns its priorities much more tion and public education efforts “Don’t Be a Lab Rat” campaign: California who specializes in the Jo closely with the interests of in- have comparatively little training “Offerer will demonstrate abili- development of media to support McGuire, a Colorado Springs- dustries whose profits come from and work experience in substance ty to navigate and thoughtfully scientific, evidence-based drug based consultant who specializes addiction and use of a harmful prevention and issues related to address the potential of involving prevention initiatives. in helping employers maintain drug,” said Bob Doyle, executive substance treatment. None is a representatives from the pharma- Crano knows a thing or two drug-free workplace policies and director of the Colorado Tobacco certified prevention specialist. ceutical and marijuana industry about angering bureaucrats who serves on the national board of Education and Prevention Alliance But there’s a more important as part of a collaborative effort develop anti-drug messaging the Drug and Alcohol Testing and chairman of Smart Approach- difference: Unlike these bet- toward a successful campaign.” without full regard for its effec- Industry Association. es to Marijuana, a policy group ter-funded prevention groups, the tiveness. He was an early and In August, McGuire attended a opposed to marijuana legalization. OBH does not invite drug industry Promotion or prevention? outspoken critic of the federal CDPHE event headlined “Marijua- “It is especially obvious that the executives to help it develop and The resulting initiative was de- government’s memorable — but na Workshop for State and Local state of Colorado is prioritizing execute prevention strategies or veloped with input from marijuana ineffective — “This Is Your Brain Public Health,” during which a marijuana and the marijuana in- lead community meetings. industry representatives and from On Drugs” campaign of the 1980s. lawyer for the marijuana industry dustry over public health and wel- “We have learned early on (in) health care providers who urged “I quickly became a pariah and a physician who recommends fare and basically ignoring many substance abuse prevention from state officials to distance them- with our Office of National Drug marijuana spoke. She was partic- effective prevention strategies and tobacco and alcohol that the selves and the work from industry Control Policy and the drug czar,” ularly surprised by the bud tender professionals,” he said. industry has no place with direct involvement. They presented state Crano said with a laugh. “But who lectured about the safe, prevention,” said Stan Paprocki, officials with published, peer-re- what I care about is effective mes- regular use of highly potent THC Money funds messages who retired March 1 as the OBH’s viewed studies showing that saging that changes behaviors and concentrates. Indeed, the Office of Behavioral director of community prevention industry involvement in prevention attitudes to prevent drug use.” “None of what these marijuana- Health, which is the only state of- programs. campaigns has been associated Research shows effective drug industry representatives said was fice specifically charged by statute Paprocki has more than 28 years with increased substance use rates. prevention campaigns are not supported by one shred of respon- with the development, coordina- of professional experience in sub- “We know what works. We know made up only of media, such as sible science, and it was absolute- tion, supervision and evaluation stance prevention and treatment that media working with interven- websites, billboards and tele- ly stunning to me that our state of statewide efforts to prevent and recently wrapped up supervi- tions that change environments vision commercials. Successful health officials gave these people drug abuse and addiction, hasn’t sion of a federally funded, five- and speak to personal drug use campaigns also include an array such a place of authority and received a dollar this fiscal year to year, $11 million campaign aimed prevent use. But that’s not what of regular and consistent edu- legitimacy,” she said. support efforts aimed at prevent- at reducing underage alcohol industry wants to do,” said Harold cation carefully developed for “It’s one thing if CDPHE officials ing marijuana use. consumption, especially among Holder, a world-recognized re- specific audiences and community want to better understand the Instead, money for marijuana Latino youths, in Adams, Denver, searcher in substance prevention interventions that limit access to, industry by meeting with people prevention and education initia- Pueblo and Weld counties. The science and the former director of and availability of, a substance and taking their own notes, but it tives has been channeled to the OBH’s work was so effective that the Prevention Research Center of in various ways, including price, is very much another and beyond Governor’s Office of Marijuana Co- it met its five-year goal to reduce the Pacific Institute for Research Crano said. ridiculous for them to make mar- ordination and to the Prevention binge drinking among Latino and Evaluation. He has even sharper words for ijuana industry leaders keynote Services Division of the Colorado youths in three years. One element of the campaign Colorado’s recently released “Good speakers who get to dominate the Department of Public Health and Paprocki said it didn’t occur to was a 30-second video focused on to Know” campaign — which also floor and drive the agenda. Environment, which provides him or his colleagues to ask alco- teens getting high in a car. The was crafted with significant input “It’s like inviting Philip Morris information on its website about hol industry executives to consult spot has no voiceover. Viewers from marijuana business owners. executives to help us learn how to “marijuana and your health” un- on the campaign. instead must read a brief message Supervised by the Colorado use tobacco and develop our next der the heading “Retail Marijua- But working with marijuana alluding to debated brain research Department of Public Health and anti-smoking campaign.” 6 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

DAY TWO: MARIJUANA AND CRIME ABOUT THE SERIES Proponents of Amendment 64 said legalizing recreational sales and use of marijuana would After the first year of recreational pot sales, The Gazette takes a comprehensive look at the stifle the black market in Colorado. That is not the case; crime statistics indicate we have unintended consequences of legalizing sales and use of recreational marijuana. more to learn about the long-term effects of legal pot on public safety and other concerns. Day 1: Colorado has a fragile scheme for regulating legal marijuana and implementing a state Data indicate there is new black market trafficking across the country as a result of legalized drug prevention strategy. pot sales in Colorado. Other safety concerns surrounding concentrates and their manufacture Day 2: One of the suppositions about legalizing pot was that underground sales would be are consequences of legalization that were never anticipated. curtailed, but officials say there is evidence of a thriving black market. Day 3: One teen’s struggle to overcome his marijuana addiction shows how devastating the Editor’s Note: See the full series, including related videos, at gazette.com/clearingthehaze. To order a drug can be for younger, more vulnerable users. And employers face new workplace issues. reprint, email [email protected], visit the website or call 719-636-0291. Day 4: Amid the hoopla about recreational marijuana sales, the medical marijuana industry is flourishing and has its own set of complicated concerns. Black market is thriving in Colorado

A shrinking black market for marijuana was among the biggest RECENT BUSTS benefits Colorado would realize Last year, about 148,000 from legalizing and regulating the pounds of marijuana were sold drug, proponents of Amendment in Colorado’s regulated retail 64 promised in the months leading shops and medical dispen- up to the state’s historic decision to saries, along with 4.8 million sanction pot’s recreational use. edible products, according to However, the black market is a recent report by Colorado’s thriving — and growing in new, Marijuana Enforcement Divi- unforeseen ways as marijuana, sion. How much was sold in highly potent THC concentrates the black market is unknown, and THC-infused foods and drinks but some recent busts with produced in Colorado make their Colorado ties have been big: way across the country. • In November, three people More than 40 states have report- — two from Summit County ed seizures of Colorado marijuana and a third from New Mexico and THC products, according to — were arrested in Tennessee the Rocky Mountain High Intensity after investigators found them Drug Trafficking Area. The feder- with 425 pounds of what the ally funded task force also reports Metropolitan Nashville Police that seizures involving Colorado Department called “high-grade marijuana bound for other states marijuana from Colorado” have risen nearly 400 percent, valued at $1.7 million, along from 58 incidents in 2008 to 288 in with nearly $355,000 and 17 2013 — the year before Colorado’s cellphones. marijuana retail stores opened. • In January, two men from That is consistent with Denver the metro Denver area were police records showing a nearly arrested after a routine traffic 1,000-percent spike in the amount stop in South Carolina and of marijuana officers have seized — found with 168 pounds of 937 pounds in 2011 compared to a marijuana with a street value little more than 4 tons last year. COURTESY PHOTOS of around $900,000. The mar- El Paso, Denver and Boulder A law-enforcement investigation in Nashville in November led to the arrest of two people from Brecken- ijuana was believed destined counties are the top three sources ridge and a third suspect from New Mexico after police officers found 425 pounds of high-grade marijua- for Charlotte, N.C., according for out-of-state marijuana traffick- na and nearly $355,000 in a bust. The trio also had 4 pounds of hash, packaging materials to band and to news reports. ing, the HIDTA reports. wrap large amounts of money, and 17 cellphones, officials said. • In January, Pueblo police “Colorado is the black market responded to a UPS facil- for the rest of the country,” HIDTA Two Colora- ity after being alerted to a Director Tom Gorman said. “Now, dans and a suspicious package. Inside: the state just has a so-called legal resident of $58,000 of high-grade pot and market competing with the cartels, New Mex- $5,000 worth of marijuana which haven’t missed a beat. All ico were edibles bound for San Angelo, ships rose with this tide.” arrested in Texas. Police say 23-year-old Colorado Attorney General Tennessee. Johnny Wolfe was trying to Cynthia Coffman spoke in similarly Officials ship the package to his home stark terms when meeting with said they in San Angelo; he was later fellow state attorneys general at a had pounds arrested by authorities in his professional conference in Feb- of marijuana home city and extradited to ruary. She lambasted marijuana and hash Pueblo to face charges. legalization advocates’ linchpin bound for • This month, brothers argument that marijuana produc- distribution Gideon Barker, 19, and Seth ers and users would play by the in North Rhoades, 21, of Wisconsin rules of law and significantly wrest Carolina. were charged with drug control of marijuana sales from Officials conspiracy after police inves- drug traffickers and cartels. in Okla- tigated a 45-pound marijuana “Don’t buy that,” she told the homa and bust. Police say Barker paid room. “The criminals are still sell- Nebraska drivers to travel to Colorado ing on the black market. …We have have sued to pick up large quantities plenty of cartel activity in Colorado Colorado of marijuana and take it to (and) plenty of illegal activity that over costs Wisconsin. Authorities found has not decreased at all.” related to more marijuana, cash, drug Mexican cartels remain big play- local legal- paraphernalia, marijuana ers in Colorado’s illicit drug trade, ization. edibles and a document titled working their turfs as usual. Only “Dos and Don’ts When Making now, because American marijua- Marijuana seizures in which drug was employees, 38 conduct criminal a Run to Colorado” at Barker na users increasingly are turning and compliance investigations, and Rhoades’ home. to the more potent forms of pot destined for other states spending most of their time at li- produced at home, the cartels are 350 censed establishments. The office is changing tactics to capitalize on requesting 13 additional, full-time drug across state borders, former other profitable drug sales. Mex- 300 employees. Colorado Attorney General John ican drug producers have shifted 250 “One of our main enforcement Suthers told The Gazette. their crops from marijuana to opi- priorities is specifically focusing in “I can’t talk details, but there’s um poppies — which produce the 200 preventing or limiting the diver- some cases in the pipeline that I black tar heroin that has ravaged 150 sion of regulated marijuana outside think will come to fruition in the many parts of the country — and the state of Colorado,” Koski said. next month or so that will indicate they’re ramping up production 100 Promises of increased enforce- just how much marijuana is going of methamphetamine. Last year, 50 ment ring hollow with law en- straight out of grow operations in U.S. law enforcement agencies forcement agencies in several oth- Colorado to regional airports and seized more than 2,100 kilograms 0 er states. Sheriffs in neighboring being flown to other states,” he of heroin coming from Mexico — ‘05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ‘09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 Kansas and Nebraska have joined said. almost triple the amount confis- sheriffs from Colorado in filing a Then there’s the black-market cated in 2009 — and about 15,800 Source: Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, August 2014 report lawsuit against the state, alleging marijuana that stays in Colorado kilograms of meth, up from 3,076 in part that Colorado’s inability — much of it falling into the hands kilos in the same period, according the numbers of marijuana users warehouses and other licensed fa- to keep black-market marijuana of the very people legalization pro- to the Drug Enforcement Agency. who might move on to try that cilities and home-grow operations from flowing over its borders has ponents said regulation would pro- The DEA estimates that about 90 next thing,” said Ernie Martinez, far exceeding the six-plant limit put an economic burden on other tect: youths. Marijuana use among percent of meth sold in the U.S. is national at-large director for the Colorado law allows those 21 and states. Colorado adolescents is among the produced in Mexico. National Narcotic Officers’ Associa- older to cultivate. “We’re running into more people highest in the country, the state’s Americans’ consumption of all tions Coalition. “Nothing good will Colorado’s home-grow market with marijuana out of Colorado — public schools are reporting record three drugs — marijuana, meth come from this.” is “minimally regulated” and a just a regular, old traffic stop,” said numbers of marijuana-related and heroin — is on the rise, and Colorado’s black-market marijua- chief area of concern, said Lew- Dillon Mach, a sheriff’s deputy in problems, and healthcare providers Colorado’s use rates are higher na trade is hardly limited to cartels is Koski, director of the state’s Custer County, Okla., who regularly say diversion of the drug from legal than the national average, accord- — and state officials can’t say how Marijuana Enforcement Division. patrols Interstate 40, a major east- recreational and medical buyers ing to the National Survey on Drug much marijuana flows through it. Yet home-grows take a back seat west freeway stretching across the to underage users is common. One Use and Health, which is funded by However, they estimate that only to the division’s mandate to ensure country. “They’ll drive to Colorado, study conducted by researchers at a U.S. Department of Health and 60 percent of the marijuana con- that Colorado’s 2,250 licensed they’ll pick it (marijuana) up, and the University of Colorado found Human Services agency. sumed in Colorado is purchased marijuana facilities — businesses they’ll drive back to where they’re that about 74 percent of teens “The cartels are flooding our mar- through legal channels. The rest including edibles manufacturers from, whether that be Oklahoma, reported using marijuana they had kets with cheap heroin and meth is sold through illicit operations and retail marijuana stores — fol- Texas, Missouri or Arkansas.” obtained from a medical-marijuana at the same time we’re growing that include back-door sales out of low the rules. Of the division’s 55 Traffickers are also flying the license holder. PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 7

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE Legalization didn’t unclog prisons Voters were told many inmates were locked up for minor pot offenses, but numbers were small

Of all the misunderstandings about marijuana’s impact on the country, perhaps none is greater than the belief that America’s courts, prisons and jails are clogged with people whose only offense was marijuana use. This is the perception, but statistics show few inmates are behind bars strict- ly for marijuana-related offenses, and legalization of the drug will do little to affect America’s growing incarceration numbers. “It’s this myth that won’t go away and gets repeated by people who should know better. Unfortunately, no one reads public records,” said Ernie Martinez, Denver-based at-large director for the National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition. “But the truth is there — and it looks a lot different than the story pushed by marijuana-le- galization advocates and amplified in news media.” Leaders of the country’s biggest groups pushing for and against marijuana legalization surpris- ingly stand on a lot of common ground. Both camps say they do not want people jailed only for drug use and/or possession of small amounts consistent with personal use. They also agree with what public records show: Nationwide, racial and ethnic minorities are arrested and convicted at higher rates than whites across many criminal categories, including drug possession and use. Both camps also favor law en- forcement strategies that stream- line low-level drug offenders into drug courts and treatment programs. They push for reforms of the criminal justice system that would give judges more flexibility in sentencing in specific, low- er-level, nonviolent cases. Similarly, advocates on both THE GAZETTE FILE sides of the legalization debate say Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility Medium Security Prison in Cañon City. Proponents of Amendment 64 told voters that legalization of they want to see legal reforms that recreational marijuana sales would unclog the state prison system, but only 1.4 percent of state inmates are locked up exclusively for crimes could help remove the stigmas involving only marijuana, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2004. that may prevent low-level drug offenders with personal-use con- Only 1.4 percent of ing a review of Colorado Depart- The federal reason police cited for stopping victions from having housing, jobs ment of Corrections records. someone, recorded in 22 percent and scholarships that help them inmates in the state government convicted of cases. lead productive and healthy lives. corrections system Casual users not targeted only 48 marijuana • In cases where locations were Where the factions sharply In 2011, the U.S. Sentencing noted on a summons, marijuana disagree is on the question of were imprisoned for Commission issued reports also offenders who possession citations were issued in whether marijuana legalization is offenses involving suggesting that low-level drug a public setting 83.6 percent of the needed to accomplish any of those users are not the targets of law possessed less than time, compared with 14 percent is- goals. only marijuana- enforcement nationwide: 5,000 grams of sued at a private home — typically “Marijuana legalization isn’t related crimes. • That year, there were 216,362 residences where officers had been required to reform problemat- inmates in the federal system. marijuana. The summoned for help. ic laws, and it’s not the answer Bureau of Justice Statistics, Among them were 6,961 marijua- average amount to our prison problems, and it 2004 na offenders, only 103 of whom Use high among offenders certainly won’t end racism where were imprisoned for simple pos- possessed was Sabet and Martinez say they also it exists in the legal system,” said session — the result of plea bar- 3,800 grams stand against legalization because Kevin Sabet, a former senior under a drug’s influence or while gains in which prisoners pleaded it would increase use of an addic- White House drug policy adviser they were in possession of very down to possession in exchange — the equivalent of tive drug prevalent among people who co-founded Smart Approach- large amounts of a drug with the for lesser sentences. about 9,000 joints, or caught up in the criminal justice es to Marijuana, a nonprofit orga- intent to sell it in circumstances • The federal government system. nization advocating for reform of associated with violence and/or convicted only 48 marijuana marijuana cigarettes. “Correlation is not causation, but marijuana laws without legalizing firearms,” he said. “If anything, we offenders who possessed less than I do not think we’ve looked thor- the addictive drug. need to conduct more research on 5,000 grams of marijuana. The U.S. Sentencing Commission, 2011 oughly enough at this association “Legalization is really about how marijuana use contributes to average amount possessed was between criminal behavior and creating a heavily commercialized criminal behavior.” 3,800 grams — the equivalent of marijuana use — which has in- Big Tobacco 2.0 that lets people According to the Bureau of about 9,000 joints, or marijuana • Possession charges are typically creased since marijuana legaliza- make a lot of money from the sale Justice Statistics in 2004 — eight cigarettes. levied in conjunction with charges tion in Colorado,” Martinez said. of another addictive drug that we years before Colorado voters cited Though people generally are for more serious crimes, usually Indeed, marijuana is the “drug have every reason to believe will the reduction of prison popula- not jailed for marijuana use, the trafficking, and often the result of most commonly admitted when disproportionately harm poor peo- tions as a chief reason for their nation’s criminal justice system is plea bargaining down from more … arrestees were asked about use ple who don’t have the resources 2012 vote to legalize recreational flooded with possession charges. serious charges. in the prior 30 days,” according to to overcome the problems of sub- marijuana: In 2011, the FBI reported that “In other words, many times, the federal Arrestee Drug Abuse stance abuse and addiction,” Sabet • One-tenth of 1 percent of peo- law enforcement agencies across the system has done a lot of these Monitoring Program’s 2013 annual said. “We’ve already seen this with ple in state prisons were serving the country made about 800,000 people a favor by letting them plea report, the most recent data avail- alcohol and tobacco.” sentences for first-time marijuana “arrests” for marijuana possession only to possession,” Martinez said. able. Consider: possession. Those people also may — but there are two major caveats In 2008, Martinez coordinat- • In Denver, 53 percent of adult, Data needed to track impact have concurrent sentencing for Martinez and Sabet say often are ed a committee appointed by male arrestees admitted marijua- Martinez, the law enforcement other offenses. not reported: then-Denver Mayor John Hicken- na use in the 30 days before their officer who has been appointed to • Three-tenths of 1 percent of • Though a charge might be looper to examine all marijuana- arrest. serve on local and state commit- people in state prisons were serv- recorded as an “arrest,” most locali- possession summonses the Denver • Of male arrestees tracked by the tees tasked with examining and ing time for marijuana possession ties across the U.S. treat marijuana Police Department issued that program, those in Denver reported implementing marijuana laws, with prior criminal offenses. They, possession much like a parking or year. The review of 1,368 sum- the least difficulty buying mari- said law enforcement agencies too, may have concurrent sentenc- speeding ticket. Many users are not monses, conducted by researchers juana, with 17 percent reporting a throughout the state are only now ing for other offenses. actually arrested or taken to jail. at the University of Colorado “failed buy” in the previous beginning to gather the mari- • 1.4 percent of people in state But a possession conviction can Denver’s School of Public Affairs, 30 days. juana-centric data they need to corrections were imprisoned for harm someone unnecessarily for found: Arrestees tracked in Atlanta and track the drug’s impact on their offenses involving only marijuana- years, Sabet said. • The typical offender was a Chicago, where recreational mari- resources. related crimes. “That is why we should advocate white male, representing 46.3 per- juana use is illegal, reported more In the meantime, his more than Those national numbers are con- for laws that do not discriminate cent of the total sample. African difficulty obtaining the drug, with three decades of professional sistent with a report released by against those with records for American males followed at 24 percent and 40 percent “failed experience — and those public the Colorado Drug Investigators small-time marijuana possession 33.9 percent, Hispanic males at buys,” respectively. records he would like more people Association. In 2010, only only — for instance, for getting 18.3 percent and Asian males at The findings are consistent with to review — tell him very few 1 percent of court commitments to college loans, public housing or 1.5 percent. a Colorado Department of Correc- people are arrested and/or impris- prison in Colorado involved mar- other benefits,” he said. “We don’t • The most common reason for tions report released in 2011 — be- oned only for marijuana posses- ijuana charges. There were more have good data on the number of contact between an alleged offend- fore the legalization of recreational sion and/or use. court commitments to prison for people affected by a criminal re- er and a police officer was a traffic marijuana — that found 80 percent “Our courts and prisons are traffic-related offenses (185) than cord tarnished only with marijuana stop, cited in 32 percent of cases. of court commitments to Colorado actually filled with people who for all marijuana offenses (91) that possession arrests, but the number Suspicion of other criminal activ- prisons had a moderate to severe committed serious crimes while year, the association reported, cit- is not trivial.” ity was the second most common substance abuse problem. 8 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE Tough task for law enforcement The legalization of marijuana ing in public; citywide through orado’s grow. Others for the “hot you have noticed this, too, but we of trees. I’ve found buds on the has forced police officers to violate Dec. 28, the number was 52. bud.” smell it everywhere. Just every- ground. It invaded the entire cul- federal law, say a group of sheriffs Rizk has all kinds of stories asso- Then there were the four teens where,” Rizk said recently while ture of the town.” who are suing Colorado over the ciated with marijuana. from Oklahoma who came here on the job downtown. In Colorado, anyone 21 and older drug. It has dramatically affected “I’ve had people driving by smok- for pot. “They basically drove Michael, a 58-year-old homeless can possess up to an ounce of pot. the officers who have to patrol the ing it. I remember it was super hot around looking for it, and they man who did not want to give his Medical marijuana cardholders streets — delivering them a new one day, and I had my windows found a dealer with a red card last name, agrees with Rizk that get to have twice as much. Police set of complex problems. rolled up (with the air condition- who went to an MMJ dispensary pot is prevalent. Chief Pete Carey has had to equip “It’s legal, man, why are you ing) and I’m in my patrol car and and bought the pot. He went in “Pretty much everyone out here officers with the right tool for the hassling us?” I’m on Tejon and a guy honks his and bought it and came out and uses,” he said on a recent warm laws. It’s a phrase Barry Rizk, a horn at me and tells me to roll my sold to them. We ticketed them day while resting in Monument “Aside from some training issues, Colorado Springs police officer window down. He’s driving by in and identified the dealer and ar- Valley Park. “It’s a new game. Now I had to purchase scales for our assigned to the downtown area, his vehicle, smoking marijuana, rested him, who also had LSD. it’s tough to get a cigarette. It used officers so they know exactly how has heard frequently. sees me and has me roll my win- “I’ve run into both transient and to be harder to get a buzz in this much an ounce is when they stop People think because pot is legal dow down. I ended up writing him nontransient people who have park than it was to get a cigarette. somebody,” Carey said. He bought they can smoke in the open. a couple of tickets. I asked him moved here because of medical Now the shoe is on the other foot. 100 of them. From January through October ‘what were you thinking?’ ” marijuana and now because of It’s tough to get a cigarette,” he “If it’s 28 grams or less, they last year, police in the downtown There was the guy from Texas the legalization of marijuana. I said. give it back,” Carey said, citing the area wrote 24 tickets for pot smok- who said he moved here for Col- can tell you personally, I’m sure “It seems like it’s falling out equivalent of an ounce.

Potency creating problems Marijuana isn’t just for smok- ers — especially under the law established by Colorado’s Amendment 64. The state constitutional amendment that legalized the drug’s recreational use permits possession of up to 1 ounce of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient that pro- duces a euphoric high. Many people think only in terms of the raw plant material that is dried and smoked and called marijuana. They envi- sion an ounce of dried mari- juana plant in a small bag or container — a form that yields about 40 standard cigarettes. They do not consider THC in concentrated and highly potent forms known as hash oil and wax, typically sold at poten- cy levels between 80 percent and 90 percent THC. At that concentration, these products are a far cry from the weed smoked at Woodstock that was around 2 percent THC. THC concentrates are sprayed on and infused into foods and drinks called edibles. They are also loaded into electronic cig- arettes, where the concentrate heats and is vaporized by the user for a faster, more intense high. Users talk about “wax- ing,” “dabbing” and “vaping.” One ounce of concentrated THC is the chemical equiv- alent of more than 2,800 average-size servings of edibles such as brownies or candy (each typically contains 10 mg). Researchers say vaping one hit of THC is the equivalent of 1 /20th of a gram. That means 1 ounce of hash oil is the rough THE GAZETTE equivalent of 560 standard A house in Manitou Springs is seen in January with broken and boarded-up windows after a suspected hash oil explosion in May. hits. Authorities alarmed over increase in hash oil explosions

It’s known as wax, shatter, honey that Thornton police Sgt. Pat Long was broken off the hinges. It ap- cies missed their first one or two most recently, a home fire in the oil or, simply, BHO — butane hash took it upon himself to develop peared that something inside the explosions before they knew what Cragmoor neighborhood in late oil. a training program to educate refrigerator had exploded and the it was.” February. Making it is legal in Colorado, law enforcement, firefighters and contents were lying on the floor Now, Thornton has an ordi- The process of extracting hash but the process of extracting high- other first responders about the below.” nance prohibiting the use of any oil involves forcing butane — a ly potent hash oil from marijuana process and the inherent dangers Long said he first heard about flammable solvent in a hash oil volatile and explosive solvent — plants using butane is highly of extracting nearly pure THC hash oil extractions a little more extraction, and a similar ordi- through a glass tube filled with dangerous. And it might be going from marijuana. than a year ago, when Thornton nance may be coming in Colorado marijuana. What results is a high- on next door. So far, about 2,500 people in police and firefighters responded Springs: City Fire Marshal Brett ly potent THC stripped from the The number of hash oil explo- eight states have attended the to a residential fire but didn’t Lacey plans to propose an ordi- plant. But something as simple sions in Colorado nearly tripled in training, including officers in the know the cause. nance that will ban extraction of as a spark or a pilot light — even the first year of the legalization of Pikes Peak region — one who cited “There was no logical explana- marijuana hashish oil in resi- static electricity — can trigger an marijuana — 32 reported explo- it in court records regarding an tion of why a freezer would blow dences. explosion. sions in 2014 versus 12 in 2013, explosion in Manitou Springs in up,” he said of that incident. In addition to the case in Mani- “It’s a process that’s too danger- according to data collected from May: “This whole hash oil stuff was tou Springs in May, news reports ous for amateurs to undertake on the Rocky Mountain High Intensi- “While approaching the resi- so new — our department had no in The Gazette also cite at least their own,” said Sgt. Jeff Brede- ty Drug Trafficking Area Program. dence I observed several win- idea about it, no training, so I ac- three other local incidents — one hoeft, training manager for the And people admitting themselves dows to the residence had been tually talked with our fire depart- more than a year ago when a Rocky Mountain High Intensity to the University of Colorado Hos- blown out and were lying on the ment and I started making phone man caused an explosion in an Drug Trafficking Area. “They’re pital Burn Unit went from one in ground,” the Manitou Springs calls to various fire agencies,” he apartment on East Pikes Peak not doing it correctly and they’re 2011 to 10 in the first four months officer wrote. “Visible from the said. Avenue, another when a man was doing it hastily, and when you mix of 2014. outside is the kitchen area. I “What I was learning is most arrested in March 2014 after an those two things together, you’re The increases were so alarming observed the refrigerator door law enforcement and fire agen- explosion on University Drive, and going to have problems.” PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 9

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

DAY THREE: YOUTHFUL ADDICTION ABOUT THE SERIES Protecting our children was a priority as the public headed to the polls to vote on Amendment After the first year of recreational pot sales, The Gazette takes a comprehensive look at the 64. The most recent research on adolescent brain development and related addiction studies unintended consequences of legalizing sales and use of recreational marijuana. indicates this is more important than ever thought before. Adolescent exposure to marijuana Day 1: Colorado has a fragile scheme for regulating legal marijuana and implementing a state is most troubling because young users are more vulnerable to addiction throughout their lives. drug prevention strategy. Post-legalization trends in Colorado raise concerns because regulation has fallen short of the Day 2: One of the suppositions about legalizing pot was that underground sales would be promises made by the state. The increasing rate of pot use also is a concern of employers. curtailed, but officials say there is evidence of a thriving black market. Day 3: One teen’s struggle to overcome his marijuana addiction shows how devastating the Editor’s Note: See the full series, including related videos, at gazette.com/clearingthehaze. To order a drug can be for younger, more vulnerable users. And employers face new workplace issues. reprint, email [email protected], visit the website or call 719-636-0291. Day 4: Amid the hoopla about recreational marijuana sales, the medical marijuana industry is flourishing and has its own set of complicated concerns. Teen: Colorado voters were duped

Nineteen-year-old Kaleb is marijuana, hash oil and THC- 41 days and seven hours sober infused foods and drinks. when he sits down for a long By then, Kaleb knew where to conversation about his marijuana find coupons and special offers addiction. of pot freebies and paraphernalia Two more months, his treatment in the free glossy magazines that providers tell him, and he’ll likely were always stacked in local con- be able to deliver his first clean venience stores. drug test in many years showing Though the state permits med- no presence of THC, the active in- ical marijuana users to designate gredient in cannabis that produc- only one “caregiver,” or supplier es a euphoric high and can affect of the drug, Kaleb said he main- the mind and body for weeks tained “memberships” at 12-15 after use — especially if you’re like dispensaries at a time. Kaleb, who was getting high every Fueled by constant buy-2-grams- day along with about 6 percent get-1-free specials, Kaleb quickly of American high school seniors. amassed a cannabis stash. Each This according to the federally day he dealt to other kids, he said, funded Monitoring the Future, he typically cleared $1,083 in prof- one of the United States’ most it — much of which fed his own extensive and longest-running drug habit, which had advanced surveys of students’ drug use and from smoking marijuana to con- attitudes toward substances. suming hash oil. The oil, which By his own admission, Kaleb, can be vaporized or infused into who is days away from his 20th foods and drinks, typically starts birthday, has spent practically at 85 percent THC. That’s about all of his teen years stoned, or 40 times the potency of the weed “blazed.” He is still coming out of THE GAZETTE of Woodstock, which was around a mental and physical haze — and Lisa Taylor said her son Kaleb used marijuana daily in high school, which created tensions in their family, 2 percent THC. Even 1 ounce of also coming to terms with the at school and among their framework of friends. the oil can impair hundreds of problems that stacked up for him people. Kaleb said he consumed when he checked out of life to in Washington, D.C., for an annual “The weed, not alco- Comparing the 2013 state-survey hash oil five to eight times a day pursue recreation of the chemical- meeting of the Community Anti- data to the much smaller samples just to feel normal. ly induced kind. Drug Coalitions of America. “We hol or tobacco, came collected from students in previ- “It’s the crack of marijuana,” he He’s regaining clarity and focus have to counter investments of ous years for a federally funded said. — and a sense of ambition he says individuals wanting to change the first, and the more study released by the Centers for Use of hash oil is a relatively new he hasn’t felt in years. culture and (promote beliefs that) I used, the more I Disease Control and Prevention is and increasingly popular trend It is a different kind of ambition it (marijuana) is a safe drug.” difficult. “The actual percentages that can cause severe reactions, than the one that drove him to And while no, most people who drank, and the more aren’t affected so much as the such as panic and psychosis, manipulate everyone around him use marijuana — and alcohol pills I eventually confidence with which you can Thurstone said. Kaleb said he saw to score his next hit. With an easy for that matter — aren’t addicts, say you have a clear picture of those reactions in friends. smile — but determined brown Kaleb says, “You just have to be in- popped. That doesn’t what has happened and can detect Kaleb’s newfound drive to take eyes that family and friends say toxicated, not an addict, to cause happen to everyone meaningful change over that a stand against cannabis in all its are finally clear again — Kaleb serious damage. And yeah, getting time,” Shupe said. The state now forms is fueled in part by anger he says he wants a fresh start and sober in Colorado is really hard who uses weed, but it wishes to press on with a more says he’s determined to channel to be fully present in his life and because drugs and media telling happen to enough of robust survey, but it will be years to spare other people — especially community. He doesn’t want cred- you why they’re so great are every- before researchers can determine youths — the problems he expe- it for merely showing up — which where all the time now.” us. It’s a gateway.” use trends — a lag in information rienced. His use of hash oil really is how he sums up his graduation Indeed, while the state reports that could keep a response years did him in, he said — but not so from Sand Creek High in 2013 that about 485,000 Coloradans 18 Kaleb, 19, a former addict behind any problems. much that he didn’t notice the with a 1.8 GPA. Kaleb wants a col- and older are regular marijuana While Kaleb blames himself for adults in his life who essentially lege degree and a career. He wants users (defined as using at least getting high the first time, he also shrugged their shoulders about to repair strained relationships. once a month), state auditors ex- drug-use rates while implement- recognizes that he was a 14-year- his marijuana use. And when he’s healthy and con- amining marijuana sold in state-li- ing legalization of retail marijuana old who believed his friend’s There were the traffic stops, fident enough, Kaleb also wants censed facilities found that about sales is increasingly pressing: The parents when they said marijuana when waves of pungent pot smoke to work to stop the United States’ 106,000 Coloradans — or nearly state’s 2013 past-month marijuana wasn’t addictive and was safer to billowed from his car and into the burgeoning marijuana indus- 2 percent of the state’s population use rate was the nation’s second use than alcohol. The couple had faces of police officers who said try and to reverse what he calls — drove more than two-thirds highest, coming in at 12.7 percent medical marijuana cards and di- nothing when Kaleb produced his “clueless and dangerous” canna- of demand for the drug. Reports of Coloradans age 12 and older. verted their stash to their son and red card. There were the teachers bis laws. Kaleb’s story suggests a from the Colorado Department of That is up from 10.41 percent in his friends, Kaleb said. who winked and joked about how state at risk of triggering a public Revenue refer to those people as 2012, when voters sanctioned rec- His experience is consistent he’d obviously “had a really nice health crisis that will hit youths the “heaviest users” because they reational marijuana use, and from with research conducted by lunch” when he returned to their especially hard because they are consume cannabis daily or near 7.8 percent in 2000, when they Dr. Christian Thurstone, an asso- classrooms so stoned he’d just put caught in a lot of the same social daily — behavior consistent with sanctioned marijuana for medical ciate professor of psychiatry at the his head on his desk. There were dynamics Kaleb said he found in substance addiction. use. With the January 2014 rollout University of Colorado, and his the parents of friends who liked his high school’s cafeteria. “We’re mortgaging our future for of retail marijuana, Colorado us- colleagues: 74 percent of Denver toking with high schoolers. “It’s [marijuana industry] all so the almighty dollar,” said Kevin age rates are likely to increase. teens in substance treatment and And then there were Kaleb’s par- misleading, and there’s a lot of Sabet, a former senior White Use of alcohol and nonmedical 18 percent of Denver teens not ents, who, after years of pleading trickery going on because there House drug policy adviser who painkillers also increased in Colo- in substance treatment reported and efforts to find him treatment, are big money and politics in this teamed with former Democratic rado between 2012 and 2013. While getting the drug from people with finally asked him to leave their and not enough people standing U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and po- marijuana legalization’s impact on a state-issued license. (Thurstone home a couple of months before up to do the right thing because litical pundit David Frum to start the consumption of other drugs is is the husband of reporter Chris- his high school graduation. Chief they’re afraid of losing something Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the subject of heated debate among tine Tatum, who worked on this among their fears was that he — like money, power, privilege or a national, nonprofit group that economists and drug-policy advo- project for The Gazette.) would be a harmful influence on image,” Kaleb said. “I compare it advocates for marijuana policy cates, the connection is much more When he turned 18, Kaleb wast- his younger brother. to Big Tobacco and bogus 1950s reform but does not support the straightforward for Kaleb. ed no time getting a “red card” “That was the hardest thing I’ve ads pushing everyone to smoke drug’s legalization. “Make no “The weed, not alcohol or to- — and dealing the drug. He found ever had to do in my life, but I cigarettes — you know, as an ex- mistake,” Sabet said. “Legalization bacco, came first, and the more I plenty of customers at schools. Of know it’s what had to be done to pression of personal freedom and is about cranking up the number used, the more I drank, and the the 2.4 million Americans who try save his life and to protect the rest with a mythical 9 out of 10 doctors of heavy users, targeting the most more pills I eventually popped,” he cannabis for the first time each of our family,” said Lisa Taylor, saying it’s all right. Only this time, vulnerable — as every industry said. “That (progression) doesn’t year, about 57 percent are younger Kaleb’s mother. “What really gets it’s not just a buzz from some selling an addictive drug does — happen to everyone who uses than 18, according to the NSDUH. me about this entire issue is that nicotine we’re talking about. Weed and making money. That’s it. If it weed, but it happens to enough of Peak use among Americans is at our country is rushing to legalize is a psychoactive, mind-altering were about getting people out of us. It’s a gateway.” age 20 — followed by ages 19 and a drug under the guise of helping substance. It is addictive. And I prison or increasing science-based The trends in marijuana use and 18. One of every six adolescents the very sick and the dying and don’t care what anyone says; it is prevention, there are myriad ways addiction specifically among Col- who try marijuana becomes ad- the ruse that everyone agrees kids being marketed to kids.” to do those things without usher- orado’s youths are also disturbing dicted to the drug — a rate med- have no business using marijuana. Advocates for drug abuse ing in Big Tobacco 2.0.” — if for no other reason than the ical experts say was determined But the truth is that we’re just prevention say many Americans In December, the National state has kept poor data and now decades ago when marijuana was clearing the way for more kids to — including and especially those Survey on Drug Use and Health finds itself building a baseline far less potent than it is today. become addicts.” making public policy and influenc- delivered more troubling news by which marijuana’s impact on To land the state’s permission to About a year after being forced ing public opinion from massive reinforcing the cacophony of youth can be determined. use weed, Kaleb said he headed to to strike out on his own, Kaleb media platforms — either have late-night jokes that Colorado has The 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado a Colorado Springs business that decided to fight for his sobriety. been duped by or are caught up in a drug problem and plenty of en- Survey, administered to youths sold medical marijuana evalu- “I was losing my family and the hype generated by an industry ablers. Pick a substance — alcohol, enrolled in public schools, is the ations for $65. He fabricated a losing my motivation,” he said. “I that derives its chief profits from abused prescription painkillers, state’s most robust evaluation story about hurting his knee while was seeing people a lot older than addiction. cocaine, heroin, marijuana or to- of students’ marijuana use and playing football at school — a me using weed and working in “People are voting without the bacco — and the state ranks above attitudes about the drug, said sport he’d never played at school. the same low-level jobs as me and knowledge,” Dr. Nora Volkow, the national average. Alyson Shupe, chief of the health The doctor Kaleb briefly met being perfectly content. I just saw director of the National Institute But it is marijuana use that statistics and evaluation branch diagnosed him with tendinitis and where my future was heading, and on Drug Abuse, told hundreds of Colorado works hardest on these of the Colorado Department of recommended what essentially it scared me. I texted my mom for people gathered in February 2014 days. The need to explain spiking Public Health and Environment. became an unlimited supply of help.” 10 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE Babies, children at risk In January, a group of Colora- do Springs pediatricians had an unusual topic on the agenda for one of their monthly meetings: Breastfeeding and babies who test positive for THC. “When that hits the agenda, it’s clearly important,” said Dr. Darvi Rahaman, a pediatrician at Peak Vista. “There’s so many, so many good things about breastfeeding and its positive effects. When a child is born, we and the nursing staff promote breastfeeding. The ISTOCK.COM question is what happens when we know Mom was positive on a THC screen? Do you recommend you breastfeed or not? What do you do?” Rahaman, a pediatrician of near- Concerns over adolescents’ use ly 20 years, said the concentration of THC in breast milk is several Much of the latest brain VIDEO ONLINE Companies are fol- at about age 6. What research- times higher than in the mother’s development science conduct- Find video of Dr. Christian ers didn’t know until the start blood and “there are very few stud- ed around the world shares Thurstone explaining the lowing Big Tobacco’s of the 21st century is that the ies about end results of children this bottom line: Adolescent basics of addiction science playbook, offering brain fully matures around the who are breastfeeding to moms substance use is harmful and at gazette.com . age of 25. who are consistently using.” a bigger deal than researchers marijuana in famil- During adolescence, the brain Rahaman said that although previously thought. The package design should be iar candy shapes changes rapidly. While under his colleagues report seeing more “Parents don’t have to accept geared to attract the youthful this important construction, it and more THC-positive infants, teen drug use or the notion eye … not the ever watchful eye and bright colors. is especially vulnerable to harm determining the number of babies that drug use is just a part of of the federal government.” from substance use, said Thur- born positive has growing up,” said Dr. Christian • From R.J. Reynolds in 1973: Bob Doyle, executive director, stone, who directs the medical been difficult Thurstone, an associate profes- “Realistically, if our company Colorado Tobacco Education training of physicians complet- because there is sor of psychiatry at the Univer- is to survive and prosper, over and Prevention Alliance ing fellowships in addiction no specific code sity of Colorado, who also serves the long term we must get our psychiatry at CU. To underscore for a marijua- as medical director of one of share of the youth market.” how easily teens become addict- na-exposed baby Colorado’s largest adolescent • From Brown & William- pendent — meaning the more ed to substances, he provides a — only a general substance abuse treatment son in 1980: “The studies … marijuana used, the greater the quick rundown of peer-reviewed code for illicit programs. of young smokers’ attitudes drop in IQ. research published in respected Lollipops drugs. “We’re try- Thurstone said many com- towards ‘addiction’ … contain • Adolescent exposure to medical journals: ing to figure out panies selling addictive drugs multiple references to how very marijuana doubles the risk of • One in six people younger how to track this,” he said. — including alcohol, marijuana young smokers at first believe developing psychosis in adult- than 18 who try marijuana “I think most people were a little and tobacco — are staffed with they cannot become addicted, hood — which includes seeing becomes addicted to it — com- frustrated that this was even a executives and researchers who only to later discover, to their and hearing things that aren’t pared with one in 11 adults. discussion. But then there’s the know what he does about the regret, that they are.” there and maintaining fixed, These rates were calculated realization that this is happening science: The best way to develop Companies offer the drug false beliefs not shared by the decades ago, when marijuana so we should have a consistent the lifelong customers who in familiar candy shapes and larger community, according to was much less potent. way to approach this. I think one guarantee business survival and bright colors, promoted using research published in Lancet It’s the sequence of brain thing for sure is that we haven’t boost profits is to hook people fashion labels, media and in 2009. This finding first was development that makes ado- come up with a final approach in when they are young because events popular with youths. reported in 1988 and has been lescents more vulnerable to ad- Colorado.” that is when the brain is espe- In doing so, they follow Big replicated at least five times diction than adults. The reward Guidance may be coming: The cially vulnerable to developing Tobacco’s playbook, said Bob with studies controlling for circuit matures in early adoles- Colorado Department of Public addiction. Most adults who Doyle, executive director of the dozens of possible, confounding cence. But the part of the brain Health and Environment plans to struggle with addiction started Colorado Tobacco Education variables — and all yielding that helps us plan, organize release a document this month their drug use as adolescents, and Prevention Alliance. similar results. and contemplate consequences for physicians to use in talking he said. “Marijuana is shaping up • Adolescent exposure to mari- develops in the mid-20s. with pregnant or breastfeeding Consider internal statements to be Big Tobacco 2.0,” Doyle juana predicts a doubling in the “So for about 12 years, kids are women. — publicized during the coun- said. “Only this time, the odds of having an anxiety dis- biologically off to the races with But doctors and hospitals in try’s tobacco lawsuit settle- consequences stand to be even order in adulthood, according fully functioning gas pedals and Colorado report seeing more peo- ments — that informed tobacco worse.” to research published in 2013 no brakes,” Thurstone said. “The ple of all ages testing positive for companies’ advertising and Among the findings about pot in the peer-reviewed journal imbalance could be a good thing marijuana — from tots to teens to business-development efforts: use during adolescence: Addiction. if it encourages teens and young 20-somethings and older. • From Lorillard in 1970: • Heavy use of the drug start- • Adolescents who use mari- adults to take some risks — such In 2009, Children’s Hospital “We have been asked by our ing in adolescence predicts up juana are at least twice as likely as leaving home and finding a Colorado reported two marijuana client group to come up with a to an 8-point drop in IQ from to go on to use other substances, mate — but it presents big chal- ingestions among children young- package design … a design that age 13 to age 38, according to compared with those who do lenges that should underscore er than 12. In the first six months is attractive to kids … While this research published in 2012 by not use the drug, according to for all of us that adolescents of 2014, there were 12, according cigarette is geared to the youth Proceedings of the National research published in Addiction. are not merely little adults and to a report by the Rocky Moun- market, no attempt (obvious) Academy of Sciences. The study Science has shown for many that the ages of 18 and 21 aren’t tain High Intensity Drug Traffick- can be made to encourage findings suggest the drop in years that the brain achieves somehow going to make drug ing Area. persons under 21 to smoke. IQ is permanent and dose-de- its maximum size and weight use all right.” “Our children’s hospital is seeing a significant number of admis- sions,” said Dr. Richard Zane, pro- fessor and chairman of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “The problem that’s really come Parents, schools say more youths using pot into fruition is this issue of mari- juana looking just like childhood Employers aren’t the only ones testing, especially because lines 16.6 percent and 12th-graders at affecting our kids, our expulsion candy,” he said of edibles made to drug testing these days. Parents have been blurred with the 21.2 percent. Close to 6 percent rates and suspensions,” Carey look like lollipops and gummies. are springing tests on their kids, legalization of recreational mar- of 12th-graders report daily use said. “For the first time ever, we have who are smoking more marijua- ijuana. I think kids think they of marijuana. It’s too early to tell how mari- enough concentrated marijuana na since legalization. The owner can get away with it because “However, the majority of high juana is affecting schools in the in one edible product where it’s of two labs in Colorado Springs they are hearing in the news the school seniors do not think oc- Pikes Peak region. District 11 sufficiently strong enough to reports seeing large increases in word ‘legalization.’ ” casional marijuana smoking is reports that through mid-Janu- cause a child to stop breathing. such tests. Terra Runyan, medical assis- harmful, with only 16.4 percent ary of this academic year, There have been children admit- Amy Mullins, who owns two tant supervisor at the north saying occasional use puts the 102 students were suspended ted to the ICU with respiratory Any Lab Test Now franchises, branch, said she typically sees user at great risk, compared or expelled for incidents related support.” says the number of drug tests 10 teens a day — most of them to 27.4 percent five years ago,” to marijuana. In all of 2013-14, Dr. Kenneth Finn, a pain conducted at her location near surprised when they figure out according to the survey. there were 184 suspensions/ medicine specialist in Colorado Chapel Hills Mall was up more where they are. In addition, a June 2014 survey expulsions. Springs, is studying emergency than 22 percent in 2014 over the “A parent will walk in and the of 100 Colorado school resource A Gazette analysis shows that room data locally from Penrose- prior year. It was even higher at children don’t know they’re officers conducted by the Rocky overall, local school districts St. Francis hospitals. her south-side location: Testing being tested. They just picked Mountain High Intensity Drug recorded 602 drug violations “The preliminary data is some- was up 45 percent. them up from school and took Trafficking Area found that: in 2013-14, up 12 percent from what frightening,” Finn said. “If “I thought 22.4 percent was them straight here.” Some, she • 89 percent of officers saw an the previous year. That’s higher you’re looking at the unintended insanely high,” she said after said, save their parents the $49 increase in marijuana-related than the state average increase consequences of Amendment 64, running the numbers for The testing fee and confess to using incidents since recreational of 7.4 percent. Statewide, drug you’re looking at a much broader Gazette. marijuana. marijuana was legalized. incidents reported by all public acceptance of use and safety. My While the company offers The increase comes in the • The most common on-cam- high schools hit a decade high perspective is a public health everything from DNA to thyroid aftermath of surveys that show pus violation was possession, last school year of 5,377. perspective.” panels, Mullins said it’s not teens have a decreasing percep- followed by being under the While local middle schools had The number of urine drug uncommon to receive multiple tion that marijuana is harmful. influence and then by posses- the highest percentage increase screens positive for marijuana phone calls a day from moms The 2014 Monitoring the sion of edibles. (24 percent), high schools in the only in patients younger than 18 and dads about marijuana. Future survey, released by the Colorado Springs Police Chief region had the most violations more than tripled from 2009 to “We have had an uptick for National Institute on Drug Pete Carey said school resource last year — 469. That’s an in- 2013, going from 30 to 101, he sure in parental testing. We’re Abuse, showed marijuana use officers are being “inundated” crease of 8.3 percent. Statewide, said. Among all ages at the time, seeing a lot more parents bring “steady among eighth-graders at with issues regarding vape pens. high school violation numbers the number of positives went their kids in for marijuana 6.5 percent, 10th-graders at “I’m worried about how it’s were flat. from 355 to 1,090. PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 11

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A supervisor oversees installation of a large truss section at a job site recently. At least two large Colorado construction companies report increasing difficulty hiring drug-free employees. “Our workplaces are too dangerous and too dynamic to tolerate drug use,” said Jim Johnson, CEO of GE Johnson in Colorado Springs. Drug use a problem for employers Two families with deep Colorado other food products that can be wasting far many more resources roots — the Johnsons of Colorado DRUG USE IN THE WORKPLACE openly consumed without raising than they often realize. And if an Springs and the Haseldens of Cen- According to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, spon- a red flag. accident happens, they’re likely to tennial — have built rival commer- sored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis- Reubelt said it’s all a threat to be financially destroyed.” cial construction companies, each tration (an agency of the U.S. Public Health Service): the bottom line. If an employee Even without data from the employing hundreds of people and • 9.1 percent of full-time employees use illicit drugs causes injury or death and then state, Leona Wellener, owner of reporting hundreds of millions of • 13.7 percent of part-time employees use illicit drugs tests positive for THC, he believes Front Range Staffing in Colorado dollars in annual revenue. In busi- • 24.6 million Americans age 12 or older use illicit drugs the employer will pay. Springs, said marijuana use has ness, they are practically sworn Among those 24.6 million Americans age 12 or older who use illicit “It’ll be a company owner long compromised the state’s work- enemies. drugs: before it’s an individual employ- force. In February, Wellener said, But there is at least one issue • 19 million use marijuana ee,” he said. more than half the applicants who where the Haseldens and the • 4.5 million use a nonmedical pain reliever While numbers show marijuana came to her company looking for Johnsons are in agreement and • 1.5 million use cocaine use is on the rise in Colorado, the work failed the required drug tests encourage key members of their • 1.3 million use hallucinagens state has not reported the drug’s because of THC use. staffs to collaborate: construction • About 500,000 use methamphetamine impact on dynamics important to Wellener said she’s also seeing safety. It is of paramount impor- • About 333,000 use heroin employers, such as absenteeism, more people trying to cheat drug tance, and all of their employees accidents and worker’s compensa- tests by passing off substances must be drug-free. SMALL BUSINESS AND DRUG USE tion claims. that are not their urine. Her firm “I’ll get straight to the bottom • 75 percent of adults who use illicit drugs are employed, most often in However, the number of workers has started asking people to take line,” said Rick Reubelt, Haselden small businesses nationwide who tested positive drug tests soon after walking in Construction’s director of environ- • Absenteeism is 66-percent higher among workers who abuse sub- for marijuana jumped 6.2 percent the company’s door for the first mental health and safety. “If you’re stances from 2012 to 2013, according to time. in the construction industry, • Substance use results in higher employee turnover and increased the Quest Diagnostics Drug Test- “I’m not wasting my time and marijuana use is not acceptable at associated costs ing Index. And the number of pos- money or my clients’ time and any time, under any circumstance • Among those who abuse substances, health benefit utilization is 300 itive tests was dramatically higher money on people who use mari- or condition.” percent higher among workers in Colorado (up juana,” she said. “If you can’t pass “He couldn’t have said it better,” 20 percent) and Washington state a drug test right away, then we said Jim Johnson, GE Johnson’s SOURCES: NATIONAL DRUG-FREE WORKSHOP ALLIANCE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF (up 23 percent). It was the first don’t even want to interview you.” chief executive officer. “We en- LABOR, DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT, SBA.GOV national spike in positive drug test Chuck Marting, owner of Fort dorse that stance, and this is one rates recorded in 10 years — and Morgan-based Colorado Mobile thing we absolutely unite on.” one attributed largely to the use of Drug Testing, urges his clients — psychoactive drug’s recreational system for weeks. A heavy user marijuana and amphetamines. and all Colorado business owners Company hires out of state use, many of the state’s employers who stops using can test positive Substance-abusing workers are — to adopt clearly defined rules Johnson said his company has have had to confront marijuana’s for the next 60 days or more. more costly for companies than like Wellener’s and apply them encountered so many job candi- growing impact on their budgets, Therein lies a dilemma for their drug-free colleagues. consistently. dates who have failed pre-employ- operations and staffing. workplace safety professionals like A U.S. Postal Service study found Doing so, he explained, can pre- ment drug tests because of their So far, the prevailing interpreta- Reubelt. An employee who drinks that absenteeism is 66 percent clude charges of discrimination. In THC use that it is actively recruit- tions of Colorado’s state amend- over the weekend can be sober higher among substance-abusing the event of a workplace accident, ing construction workers from ments sanctioning marijuana and safe to work on Monday. In workers. The U.S. Department of evidence of clearly communicated other states. use have sided with the rights of the event of a workplace incident, Labor cites multiple studies show- and consistently enforced drug The dwindling candidate pool employers to terminate employees it is relatively easy to determine ing higher use of health benefits policies and testing could help especially affected GE Johnson who use the drug even if their use whether alcohol was a factor. among substance-abusing employ- employers defend themselves and during its trumpeted, $57 million is off the clock and premises and/ Not so with marijuana. If an em- ees. It also found lower turnover mitigate financial damages, he renovation of the luxurious Broad- or part of a healthcare regimen. ployee tests positive for low levels among companies with substance said. moor hotel’s West Tower in late Marijuana-using workers are of THC, Reubelt said, it is nearly abuse programs that include drug Marting also urges employers 2013. The company had such a challenging those restrictions, impossible to rule out impairment testing. to avoid the misperception that tough time staffing required shifts claiming their employers have as a cause. everyone is using marijuana. He that Johnson said his team decid- no right to regulate what they do The company maintains a Small business especially hurt points to the 2013 National Survey ed to abandon local job-recruit- during their free time. Though 100-vehicle fleet that travels the Small businesses bear the brunt on Drug Use and Health, which ment efforts, pay current workers the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis- Rocky Mountain region, and of workplace drug problems, the shows that a minority of American plenty of overtime wages and look tration has not approved THC as Reubelt said he must be able to Department of Labor reports. workers report illicit drug use. outside Colorado for drug-free a safe and effective drug for any determine whether drivers are “I see it all the time,” said Jo Mc- “It’s obviously not everyone, employees. condition, employees are using working under the influence. Guire, a Colorado Springs-based but those numbers will grow if “This is a very troublesome issue arguments of medical necessity “I don’t think it’s right to expect consultant who helps employers employers don’t set firm limits for our industry, but I do not see against employers who don’t toler- employers to deal with ticking- promote and maintain drug-free and stick to them,” said Marting, us bending or lowering our hiring ate marijuana use. time-bomb situations like these,” work environments and serves who worked in law enforcement standards,” Johnson said. “Our Reubelt said. “The science is not on the national board of the Drug as a drug recognition expert for 17 workplaces are too dangerous and Hard to test lingering effect available to show exactly how and Alcohol Testing Industry years. too dynamic to tolerate drug use. Legal skirmishes also center on someone is affected by the mari- Association. Marting said employees who do And marijuana? In many ways, employee drug testing. Marijua- juana they’ve used . . . marijuana “Small businesses often feel as if not use drugs urged one of his cli- this is worse than alcohol. I’m still na-using workers and lawyers rep- isn’t voided from the body like they don’t have the money to con- ents to begin administering drug in shock at how we (Colorado) resenting the marijuana industry alcohol... .” duct regular, random drug testing tests. They were concerned about voted. Everyone was asleep at the argue that a positive test showing Reubelt also worries about em- programs, and they’re willing continual “screw-ups” by stoned wheel.” low levels of THC does not meet ployees easily concealing their use to gamble that they won’t need co-workers. Since Colorado’s 2009 boom in the burden for proving impair- of THC. A powerful concentration them,” McGuire said. “But they re- “All of this is going to catch up medical marijuana dispensaries ment on the job. Unlike alcohol, of the drug can be infused into ally do need them because they’re with Colorado — and our country,” and 2012 vote sanctioning the marijuana can remain in a user’s brownies, cookies, candies and losing a lot more productivity and Marting said. 12 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

DAY FOUR: MEDICAL MARIJUANA ABOUT THE SERIES Medical marijuana sales in Colorado exploded after October 2009 as the result of a federal After the first year of recreational pot sales, The Gazette takes a comprehensive look at the memorandum stating that resources likely would not be used to prosecute people involved in unintended consequences of legalizing sales and use of recreational marijuana. the business, which remains illegal under federal law. Gazette research confirmed the medical Day 1: Colorado has a fragile scheme for regulating legal marijuana and implementing a state marijuana market continues to grow as the result of porous regulation and a favorable price drug prevention strategy. differential versus retail marijuana sales. The issue is big and complex and may derail legit- Day 2: One of the suppositions about legalizing pot was that underground sales would be imate efforts to conduct research on parts of the marijuana plant that could produce new, curtailed; instead, there has been an upward trend in pot-related crimes. clinically proven medicines. Day 3: One teen’s struggle to overcome his marijuana addiction shows how devastating the drug can be for younger, more vulnerable users. And employers face new workplace issues. Editor’s Note: See the full series, including related videos, at gazette.com/clearingthehaze. To order a Day 4: Amid the hoopla about recreational marijuana sales, the medical marijuana industry is reprint, email [email protected], visit the website or call 719-636-0291. flourishing and has its own set of complicated concerns.

Sales of medical marijuana in Colorado Springs last year were up al- most 11 percent over 2013 — from $53.7 million to $59.6 million.

PHOTOS BY THE GAZETTE Marijuana cannot be sold for recreational use in Colorado Springs, but there are 91 business licenses The number of El Paso County residents on Colorado’s Medical Marijua- for medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. na Registry grew 17.3 percent in 2014. Medical marijuana industry still growing Savvy consumers opting to shop at dispensaries rather than pay high taxes at recreational stores

Colorado made headlines world- dispensaries in Colorado Springs voters approved Amendment 20, wide when recreational marijua- — one for roughly every 4,900 res- BUSINESS COMPARISON allowing doctors to recommend na went on sale to the public in idents. Sales of medical pot in the The Colorado Springs City Council voted to ban retail marijuana stores marijuana for people suffering January 2014. city last year were up 11 percent in the city. However, there are dozens of medical marijuana dispen- certain debilitating conditions. News organizations descended over 2013 — from $53.7 million saries in town and other marijuana-related businesses. There are The vote was 53.5 percent to on the Centennial State to doc- to $59.6 million — according to dispensaries in every region of the city, with clusters in some neigh- 46.5 percent. ument, and hype, the advent of Gazette calculations based on tax borhoods (see map, facing page). But the industry didn’t really take legalized retail pot. collections. For a comparison, The Gazette looked up licenses of pharmacies and off until after October 2009, when The act of applying for and open- liquor stores within the city: U.S. Deputy Attorney General David ing a retail pot business became Shoppers look for bargains • 91 medical marijuana center licenses W. Ogden issued a memorandum reality-TV drama. MSNBC filmed The rise in the MMJ registry • 98 pharmacies stating it wasn’t prudent to use a six-part documentary titled “Pot roll likely comes down to person- • 107 retail liquor stores federal resources to go after MMJ Barons of Colorado.” There was al finances. Medical marijuana patients and caregivers who were great anticipation, and long lines, is subject to fewer taxes than its in “clear and unambiguous compli- as pot shops opened for business, retail counterpart. When it comes ance with existing state laws.” and a multimillion-dollar industry to pot, Coloradans have proved Critics say the data raise ques- Some say the number of patients His memo said, in part: “The was born overnight. themselves cost-conscious. A pot tions about pot’s role in medicine on the state’s Medical Marijuana prosecution of significant traf- By early February 2015, 334 purchase at El Paso County’s lone and the legitimacy of the medical Registry far exceeds the number of fickers of illegal drugs, including retail shops were selling pot to the recreational shop in Manitou marijuana industry. Consider Ar- people who have legitimate need marijuana, and the disruption of public, based on state Department Springs is subject to 24.03 per- izona, which tracks daily sales of for the plant. Ninety-three percent illegal drug manufacturing and of Revenue data. cent in taxes — and that doesn’t medical marijuana. Sales are high- of medical marijuana patients trafficking networks continues to And amid all the hoopla around include a 15 percent excise fee est on Fridays — just in time for in Colorado cite “severe pain” as be a core priority in the depart- legalized recreational pot, its older collected by the state. The same the weekend. Wondering which their reason for using the drug ment’s efforts against narcotics cousin, the medical marijuana purchase at a medical marijuana days over the past few months and are smoking “medicine” with and dangerous drugs. As a general (MMJ) industry — with 505 stores dispensary in Colorado Springs were most popular for MMJ sales? names like “Armageddon,” “Willie matter, pursuit of these priorities throughout Colorado — quiet- would be taxed at 7.63 percent. New Year’s Eve and the Friday Nelson” and “Green Crack.” should not focus federal resourc- ly continued to grow, adding The cost disparity may explain before the Super Bowl, according Dr. Richard Zane, head of the es in your states on individuals patients by the thousands who why tax collections from recre- to the Arizona Medical Marijuana Department of Emergency Medi- whose actions are in clear and seemingly had no problem finding ational pot sales statewide haven’t Program. cine at the University of Colorado unambiguous compliance with physicians willing to diagnose produced the windfall originally Twenty-three states have some Hospital, summed up the MMJ existing state laws providing for what critics say are often phantom projected. sort of medical marijuana pro- industry in Colorado this way: the medical use of marijuana.” medical conditions. Statewide, the In a blog post by the Colorado gram, but regulations vary widely. “It is not statistically mathemat- This was the green light finan- number of people on the Medical Fiscal Institute titled “Half a mile Minnesota, for instance, will have ically possible that this one sub- ciers needed to open medical Marijuana Registry grew 4 percent high: Coloradans not buying just eight medical marijuana stance could possibly be effective marijuana businesses without fear in 2014 — the first year of legal as much pot as expected,” the dispensaries statewide when its for all the things that it has been of prosecution — and applications recreational sales — from 111,030 institute noted: “Coloradans are program launches in July, and pa- listed for — and for the number of for Colorado’s medical registry to 115,467 by year’s end. consuming about half as much re- tients will receive medical canna- people in Colorado who have med- exploded. El Paso County was no exception. tail marijuana as state economists bis only in a liquid, pill or vapor- ical marijuana cards to have an In January 2009, for example, Although retail pot sales were predicted before voters approved ized form. New York’s program indication for a disease for which just 5,051 Coloradans were on banned in Colorado Springs, that special taxes on recreational pot also only allows nonsmokable a singular medicine is indicated the medical marijuana registry — didn’t dampen the local demand in 2013, and many state residents marijuana. and works. It’s a medical epidemi- including 568 people from El Paso for marijuana — or its availability. have instead stuck to using med- Colorado lawmakers intend to ological statistical impossibility.” County and 65 from Teller County, The number of El Paso County ical marijuana, taxed at a signifi- address medical marijuana this Even so, the state seemingly has according to data from the Colo- residents on Colorado’s Medical cantly lower rate.” legislative session. Among the made getting on the registry more rado Department of Public Health marijuana registry grew Some MMJ stores even advertise issues expected to get attention: attractive; it lowered the applica- and Environment, which was 17.3 percent — from 15,328 in their price advantage over retail the oversight of caregivers — those tion fee to $15, down from $35 in charged with implementing and January to 17,986 in December. shops. A sign at a store on West designated by medical marijuana 2014 and $90 in 2012. administering the MMJ registry. And those people have plenty of Colorado Avenue, for instance, patients to grow pot for them – The registry numbers in El Paso places to shop. City records show touts “$ave Money! Become a and doctors who approve patients History of Amendment 20 — there are 91 licenses for medical MMJ patient!” for the registry. In November 2000, Colorado SEE MMJ • PAGE 13 PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE 13

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

Colorado Springs marijuana MMJ dispensaries by ZIP code FROM PAGE 12 — 80940 80924 and Teller counties spiked to 2,947 and 300, respectively, by the end COLORAD of 2009. O SPRINGS Today, MMJ shops in Colorado 80819 80919 80927 Springs are about as common as 80923 traditional drugstores. There are 0 2 80918 98 pharmacies in the city and 91 licenses to sell medical marijuana. 8 80938 And dispensaries aren’t the city’s 80922 80917 only marijuana businesses. Colora- 80904 80907 80939 do Springs has issued 242 medical 2 marijuana business licenses that 18 13 80909 3 also include grow operations and 80915 infused-product manufacturers, 22 80951 some just a stone’s throw from MANITO residential neighborhoods. U 80903 80914 Jason Warf, executive director of SPRINGS 6 80910 80929 the Southern Colorado Cannabis 80905 Council, came to Colorado for 9 4 marijuana. “Honestly, I moved out here to 80916 be more legitimate as a cannabis 80906 2 patient,” he said. “People stick 2 PHOTOS BY THE GAZETTE SECURITY with their red cards because 80911 Some stores that sell recreational marijuana are next to medical dis- they’re sick and they need it as 80925 pensaries selling the same products under different names — “medi- medicine. Individuals need this WIDEFIELD cal” joints at one spot and “recreational” joints at another. as medicine. For patients, it’s not about recreating. It’s about treat- Voters were duped by medical marijuana mendations out of the scope of recommendations based on their ing what our issues are.” proponents ... Only 4 percent of cardhold- their expertise. knowledge of medical marijua- Warf said he became a cannabis “Some things that don’t make na and their relationships with patient after a failed back surgery ers in Colorado report using marijuana for sense — an OB/GYN who’s making patients.” left him disabled. hundreds of recommendations for Former Colorado Attorney Gen- “The red card numbers are up HIV/AIDS or cancer. male patients,” Wolk said as an eral John Suthers told The Gazette slightly, but there are some factors Kevin Sabet, co-founder of Project SAM example, or a pediatrician making that Colorado’s laws “have driven to take into account. We still have (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) recommendations to adults. the adolescent perception of risk a huge influx of sick people com- “Just in the past year alone we’ve into the ground.” ing to Colorado (for treatment),” referred 16 physicians for investi- Based on 2012 data from the he said. “And now since it’s legal, gation,” Wolk said. Rocky Mountain High Intensity it opens the door for more people have medical cards … the vast ma- Finn said. In December, one physician Drug Trafficking Area, nearly to be comfortable becoming can- jority of them are just to serve their “But I think it’s very important admitted to writing recommenda- 27 percent of Coloradans ages nabis patients.” own recreational pot interests.” that cannabis as medicine needs tions to more than 7,000 patients 18 to 25 reported using mari- Warf worries that bills set to be Sabet believes voters were duped to be studied just like any medica- — many whom he didn’t person- juana in the prior month — the introduced in the Legislature will by medical marijuana proponents tion should be studied.” ally see or evaluate. Dr. Lenny third-highest percentage in the chip away at the industry. into approving Amendment 20. Studies about possible medicinal Sujdak pre-signed the Medical nation behind Vermont and Rhode “In the last three years at the Only 4 percent of cardholders in benefits of marijuana are about to Marijuana Registry application Island, which also allow medical Capitol, what I’ve seen is really a Colorado report using marijuana get underway. The state’s Board forms and delegated the evalua- marijuana. push to essentially do away with for HIV/AIDS or cancer, he said. of Health approved spending tions to mid-level practitioners. Although retail sales are banned medical. This is nothing more “But people vote for it and they $9 million to research marijua- Documents from the state’s De- in Colorado Springs, the city than a money grab. Obviously pa- want it because that’s who they na’s impact on several conditions, partment of Regulatory Agencies ranked No. 2 nationwide for pot tients don’t pay nearly the tax on think it’s going to,” he said. including PTSD, Parkinson’s and show his license to practice was use in a Movoto Real Estate Blog, medicine that consumers on the “The legalization movement — childhood epilepsy. placed on probation for five years. behind only Denver. The blog cited recreational side do.” they wanted to change the face of Not everyone was thrilled by the He is banned from performing dispensaries per capita, number of Kevin Sabet, co-founder of marijuana from the 1970s stoner news, including pot advocates who any more marijuana evaluations residents with medical marijuana Project SAM (Smart Approaches to the 80-year-old with cancer. argued against funding the studies and he was ordered to complete a cards and head shops per capita to Marijuana), which advocates They did it very effectively. What with the registration fees paid by course titled “The Opioid Crisis: among the criteria for its analysis. for public health-based marijuana that has done has unfortunately those on the registry; the group Guidelines and Tools for Improv- If the numbers, anecdotes and policy, believes there are com- impeded the development of prop- said such funding is an unconsti- ing Chronic Pain Management.” experts’ opinions are indicators of ponents of marijuana that may er marijuana-based medications,” tutional use of the money. It’s unclear how many physicians how hard it is to regulate medical have medicinal benefits but they Sabet said. The Journal of the American have been sanctioned for similar marijuana, Colorado certainly has concern only a small fraction of A Colorado Springs physician Medical Association weighed in infractions. work ahead as it attempts to regu- the industry. who specializes in pain medicine on the importance of marijuana “We don’t track discipline by late the recreational pot industry. “Look, I think the concept of and is a member of the Colorado research in its December issue, that specificity,” said Cory Everett, “What will be the impact of medical marijuana is a politi- Medical Marijuana Scientific Advi- noting: “Patients with some sei- director of strategic and external Amendment 64 on Colorado and cal fraud and most businesses sory also believes marijuana may zure disorders may benefit from affairs for the Department of Reg- other states? Only time will tell,” involved with medical marijuana have a medicinal use but said its the cannabidiol component in ulatory Agencies, which maintains reads an excerpt from HIDTA’s are a sham,” said Sabet, who got sales and use are problematic. marijuana, and several clinical licensing and disciplinary records 153-page August report titled top billing in Rolling Stone’s list of “You can theoretically fill your trials will soon enroll patients.” It of physicians. “We track it by the “The Legalization of Marijuana in people deemed the biggest threats trunk with medical marijuana also noted: “However, it is unlikely statutory violation.” Colorado.” “The five-year expe- to pot legalization. “However, that products in one day — there’s no that marijuana is effective for the In order to make a medical mar- rience with medical marijuana does not mean there is not medi- system to track that,” Dr. Kenneth wide range of health problems ijuana recommendation, physi- in Colorado may be indicative of cal utility we can derive from the Finn said. approved under Colorado law.” cians are required to have a “bona what to expect.” marijuana plant. “You know the definition of a fide” relationship with a patient. Does marijuana or some of “We have early evidence about caregiver?” he added. “Anyone Getting the card “For us, it’s ensuring physicians its components have medicinal CBD, which could be helpful with who’s over 18 years of age and has According to the Colorado are acting responsibly,” Wolk benefit? Early evidence indicates it muscle spasticity — if you’re suf- a pulse.” Department of Health and Envi- said. “They have to have a bona may, but research is needed. fering from MS or epilepsy,” Sabet “Patients are free to self-medi- ronment, more than 800 doctors fide physician-patient relation- Suthers said the medical mari- said, referring to cannabidiol, a cate with a 10 percent THC bud have signed a certification form ship, which requires an ongoing juana industry is “pretty much a component in marijuana that does or 90 percent hash oil,” Finn said. the state requires for a person to relationship with a patient — not joke.” not produce a high. “These things “They can eat, smoke and vape all apply to the marijuana registry. coming in once a year and not “I think there’s probably should be further explored and day without any control. Dr. Larry Wolk, executive di- receiving all of the necessary com- 2 percent of patients who have that research should be promoted. “To be honest with you, I think rector and chief medical officer ponents of a doctor visit including legitimate debilitating medical “But medicine should be ap- that the industry has created a of the Colorado Department of a history and physical exam and conditions. The surprise to me — proved by the FDA and gotten at a huge disservice for the people who Public Health and Environment, appropriate laboratory testing. I thought that with legalization pharmacy with your doctor’s pre- might actually benefit from it. said the majority of those doctors You would expect to see at least the vast majority of these young scription. The way it has panned … I think it’s important that the have each made just a handful that much if it’s truly a bona fide people who are lying to their doc- out in the last 20 years is that this terminally ill are not part of the of recommendations. But some physician-patient relationship. tor about their chronic back pain has become a political movement debate, nor do I have issues with physicians raise red flags — either “I believe there are physicians would want to go legit. But that designed to essentially get anyone the pediatric population and the by the sheer number of MMJ rec- who do have bona fide patient- hasn’t happened. Apparently the stoned who wants to. It’s a political nonpsychoactive cannabinoids to ommendations they are making or physician relationships who are market is a lot more price-sensi- sham because most people who treat pediatric seizure disorders,” because they are making recom- earnestly and honestly making tive than I thought it was.”

EL PASO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY POLICY STATEMENT ON MARIJUANA USE

Evidence exists that may indicate the possi- cannabis use. Until clinical research meeting be discouraged in adults and prohibited in clinical research, and for specified medical bility of certain medicinal benefits from select rigorous scientific standards can be per- children and adolescents; conditions; components of the cannabis plant. A growing formed, EPCMS, in line with the policies of • the medicinal use of marijuana should take additional research meeting the rigorous body of evidence also indicates negative the American Medical Association and the place only within the context of an established standards of pharmaceutical research should physiological, psychological, developmental, Colorado Medical Society, believes: physician-patient relationship, under medical be conducted to determine any risks and and cognitive health effects associated with • the recreational use of marijuana should supervision, based upon scientifically valid benefits.

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION POLICY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

H-95.952 Cannabis for Medicinal Use be viewed as an endorsement of state-based effort should include: a) disseminating specific studies that receive FDA approval, regard- (1) Our AMA calls for further adequate and medical cannabis programs, the legalization information for researchers on the devel- less of whether or not the NIH is the primary well-controlled studies of marijuana and relat- of marijuana, or that scientific evidence on opment of safeguards for cannabis clinical source of grant support. ed cannabinoids in patients who have serious the therapeutic use of cannabis meets the research protocols and the development of a (4) Our AMA believes that effective patient conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or current standards for a prescription drug model informed consent form for institutional care requires the free and unfettered ex- controlled evidence suggests possible effica- product. review board evaluation; b) sufficient funding change of information on treatment alterna- cy and the application of such results to the (3) Our AMA urges the National Institutes of to support such clinical research and access tives and that discussion of these alternatives understanding and treatment of disease. Health (NIH), the Drug Enforcement Adminis- for qualified investigators to adequate supplies between physicians and patients should not (2) Our AMA urges that marijuana’s status tration (DEA), and the Food and Drug Admin- of cannabis for clinical research purposes; subject either party to criminal sanctions. as a federal schedule I controlled substance istration (FDA) to develop a special schedule c) confirming that cannabis of various and (CSA Rep. 10, I-97; Modified: CSA Rep. 6, A-01; be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the and implement administrative procedures to consistent strengths and/or placebo will be Modified: CSAPH Rep. 3, I-09; Modified in lieu conduct of clinical research and develop- facilitate grant applications and the conduct supplied by the National Institute on Drug of Res. 902, I-10; Reaffirmed in lieu of Res. ment of cannabinoid-based medicines, and of well-designed clinical research involving Abuse to investigators registered with the DEA 523, A-11) alternate delivery methods. This should not cannabis and its potential medical utility. This who are conducting bona fide clinical research 14 GAZETTE.COM/CLEARINGTHEHAZE PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

A PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY THE GAZETTE CLEARING THE HAZE

WHO CAN BUY? To buy recreational No approved ‘medicine’ in marijuana marijuana • Buyers must be 21 years old. Dr. Stuart Gitlow, a physician One El Paso • Colorado residents can serving as president of the Ameri- County buy up to 1 ounce at a can Society of Addiction Medicine, business time. does not mince words: grows • Tourists/visitors to “There is no such thing at this marijuana Colorado can buy a point as medical marijuana,” he that is low in quarter of an ounce, said. It’s a point he has made THC for use • Even if communities routinely for the past decade, as in an oil that banned retail sales, advocates for marijuana legaliza- is used by residents there can still tion have claimed the drug treats an increas- grow up to six plants. an array of serious illnesses, or ing number the symptoms of illnesses, includ- of people to To buy medical ing cancer, depression, epilepsy, treat marijuana glaucoma and HIV, the virus that seizure dis- • Buyers must be causes AIDS. orders. An 18 years old. Backing up Gitlow are the Na- oral spray • Buyers need to be tional Institute on Drug Abuse and made from on the state’s Medical practically every major medical cannabis Marijuana Registry and association in the United States, is used to possess a valid registry including the American Medical treat pain card, which were rede- Association, the American Acade- in cancer signed in September. my of Child and Adolescent Psychi- patients. • Buyers can purchase atry and the American Academy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 2 ounces of marijuana. Pediatrics, which recently reaf- firmed its stance. Cannabis in its FDA approval, such as dronabi- are among the world’s most RED CARD various forms is an addictive drug MORE ONLINE nol, which is man-made THC, or respected addiction researchers CONDITIONS that is especially dangerous to the This month, the Colorado are being developed under the and treatment specialists. “We do developing brain — a linchpin the Department of Public Health agency’s supervision. The FDA is not have to legalize marijuana and Medical marijuana may country’s largest medical groups and Environment released a monitoring Sativex, an oral spray trigger massive problems for pub- be recommended in give for opposing its legalization. report outlining marijuana’s made from cannabis for the treat- lic health and safety to conduct Colorado for patients NIDA details specific reasons impact on health. Download ment of neuropathic pain related this science.” with cancer, glauco- why the cannabis plant is “an the report, “Monitoring Health to cancer and spasticity related to State policies sanctioning mari- ma, HIV or AIDS, and unlikely medication candidate” — Concerns Related to Marijuana multiple sclerosis, and Epidiolex, juana for medical use are under- patients with a chronic whether smoked as marijuana or in Colorado: 2014,” at http://1. also derived from cannabis, for the mining the integrity and safety of or debilitating disease or consumed in the form of hash oil usa.gov/1z74ClA. treatment of intractable epilepsy. the country’s medicine approval medical condition that or “wax.” The organization argues: Since 2007, the National Insti- process, the world’s safest and produces one or more • The plant contains numerous tutes of Health has awarded more most respected, said David Mur- of the following: cachex- chemicals with unknown health At the same time, medical than $14 million for research ray, a senior fellow at the Hudson ia, persistent muscle effects. experts say it is important to of components of cannabis and Institute, where he co-directs the spasms, seizures, se- • It is too variable to be consid- distinguish between the whole whether they could be used to Center for Substance Abuse Policy vere nausea and severe ered medicine, which requires all marijuana plant — which is sold treat several diseases and con- Research. He formerly served as pain. The physician also ingredients to be specified so the in dispensaries without U.S. Food ditions, including chronic pain, chief scientist and associate dep- must believe a patient’s product can be reproduced consis- and Drug Administration approval brain damage, Crohn’s disease and uty director of the White House condition may be alle- tently. In other words, there’s no or oversight and has been shown Alzheimer’s disease. Office of National Drug Control viated by the medical way to guarantee a plant produced to have more carcinogenic com- “Could we and should we speed Policy. use of marijuana. Since and processed in northern Colo- pounds than tobacco when com- up research? Absolutely, and let’s “With marijuana, we are seeing the Medical Marijuana rado yields the same, or even sim- busted — and isolated ingredients make sure we push for the funding medicine created by popular vote Registry was created in ilar, treatment as one produced of the plant. Those ingredients can that allows qualified and highly and political pressure, both of 2001, no new conditions and processed in another part of and be researched and developed skilled scientists to do that work, which undermine the safety and for treatment have been the state, much less in a different into nonsmoked medications that free from the influence of politi- efficacy of the U.S. medical supply,” added. region of the country. actually work and do not subject cians and the marijuana industry,” he said. “No matter where anyone Denied conditions • It is typically consumed by users to unreasonable risks of said Kevin Sabet, a former senior stands on marijuana, do we really Petitions to add the smoking, further contributing to addiction and communities to White House drug policy adviser want to allow the subversion of following to the list of potential adverse effects. greater public-safety risks, medical who co-founded Smart Approach- this process and the integrity of conditions approved • It has cognitive and motor-im- experts and marijuana legaliza- es to Marijuana, a nonprofit, mar- medical approval? The cost of for marijuana treatment pairing effects, which may limit its tion opponents say. They point to ijuana policy reform group whose doing so would be greater than I have been denied: utility. medications that have received science advisers, including Gitlow, think we can imagine now.” asthma, atherosclerosis bipolar disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes melli- tus types 1 & 2, diabetic retinopathy, hepatitis C, hypertension, methicil- lin-resistant Staphylo- coccus aureus, opioid dependence, post-trau- matic stress disorder, severe anxiety and clinical depression and Tourette’s syndrome. SOURCE: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

MMJ USERS As of Dec. 31, 2014: • 115,467 Coloradans possessed a medical marijuana “red” card. • 16 percent, or 17,986, of PHOTOS BY THE GAZETTE the red card holders live Ninety-three percent of people on the state Medical Marijuana Registry in 2014 reported “severe pain” as their condition requiring treatment in El Paso County. with marijuana, 1 percent cited HIV/AIDS, and 3 percent cited cancer. A trip to a local clinic revealed the path to receiving a red card for med- • Denver had the highest ical marijuana use is laid out step by step. Clinic workers even provided an addressed envelope for mailing a patient’s application and fee. percentage of card holders — 17 percent (19,269 people) — on the registry. • The five counties with the most people on the Cost may be biggest hurdle to red card registry are Denver, El Paso, Jefferson (12,637, Critics of Colorado’s medical marijuana pro- driver’s license, which was photocopied and or 11 percent), Arapahoe gram say it’s a fraud starting with the applica- returned, and given a clipboard with a sheet (12,131, or 11 percent) and LOCAL RED CARD HOLDERS tion process to get a red card, which allows a from the Colorado Department of Public Adams (8,688, or The number of people on the Medical Mar- person to buy and use marijuana. Health and Environment titled “Medical Mar- 8 percent). (Teller County ijuana Registry has jumped in El Paso and Is getting on the state’s Medical Marijuana ijuana Registry — Application for Registration had 936 people on the Teller counties: Registry as easy as everyone says? The Gazette Card.” Instructions: Fill out lines 1 through registry.) Year El Paso Teller decided to see what the process involves. 12 only, which consists of the usual personal • The five counties with Dec. 31, 2014 17,986 936 Applying for a red card was a little more data — name, address, date of birth. “Line 8 the fewest people on the Dec. 31, 2013 15,320 855 involved than buying cold medicine containing says County, Not Country,” each person was registry are: Hinsdale, Dec. 31, 2012 14,888 922 pseudoephedrine, but not much. The require- instructed. “Please put El Paso.” 12; Kiowa, 12; San Juan, Dec. 31, 2011 10,408 737 ment of a doctor’s examination and approval, Two other sheets required signatures, one 24; Jackson, 25; Chey- Dec. 31, 2010* 12,173 949 for example, was as simple as having a quick detailing health privacy laws. enne, 27. Dec 31, 2009 2,947 300 cup of coffee with a stranger. Our diagnosis after explaining our symptoms: • 93 percent of people * First year after federal memorandum It took $95 and 46 minutes — maybe five of SOURCE: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC severe pain. Advice: Try eating a very small on the registry reported those with the doctor — to get a recommenda- HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT amount of an edibles cookie before bed. With “severe pain” as their tion to use medical marijuana. No stethoscope, that, the physician paperwork was signed. condition for using med- no blood pressure reading, no checking of the Next step: Hand over $80. A packet was put ical marijuana; 1 percent pulse. notary services. All application paperwork is together with everything necessary for a red cited HIV/AIDS and Making an appointment was easy: Google on-site. card, including a notarized copy of the appli- 3 percent cited cancer. “how to get a red card in Colorado Springs” The waiting room in one Colorado Springs cation, a driver’s license copy, the $15 money • 65 percent of red card to find local clinics, sign up online and you’ll MMJ clinic was packed with men and women, order and the physician certification sheet, and holders are male. The get a phone call and a text within minutes to from 20-somethings to senior citizens, on a re- placed in an addressed envelope to the Colorado average age of people on confirm an appointment. cent afternoon. One man worried he wouldn’t Department of Public Health and Environment. the registry is 42. SOURCE: COLORADO Don’t have any medical records? Shouldn’t be qualify but was quickly assured he should see Final instructions: Send the envelope cer- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC a problem. Applicants need only bring an ID, the doctor to be sure. Office staff members tified mail and keep the receipt. Apparently HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT a $15 money order for the state application fee were polite, professional and efficient. some dispensaries accept the receipt and a and $80 cash to cover the appointment and Upon arrival, patients were asked for a copy of the paperwork as a temporary red card.