2017 Marijuana Symposium
On October 6, 2017 Colorado Christian University hosted a symposium regarding Marijuana’s True Impact on Colorado. Law enforcement, health, business, youth, family, and public policy experts spokes about the various implications of legalizing marijuana in Colorado. Here are just some of the startling statistics:
- Colorado youth use rate continues to be #1 in the nation. (RMHIDTA Report 2017)
- The number of Colorado drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana use jumped 145 percent — from 47 in 2013 to 115 in 2016. (The Denver Post)
- One Pueblo hospital is reporting nearly half the babies tested in one month had marijuana in their systems. (CBS4)
- Between 2013 and 2016, Douglas County Schools have seen a 149% increase in juveniles caught with marijuana. (Deputy Jay Martin, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
- “So far, the only thing that the legalization of marijuana has brought to our schools has been marijuana.” (Cherry Creek Schools Superintendent Dr. Harry Bull)
- The Institute of Medicine, American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Medical Association, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology all agree that smoked marijuana as medicine is unacceptable. (Smart Approaches to Marijuana)
- Chronic use of smoked marijuana is associated with increased risk of cancer, lung damage, bacterial pneumonia, and poor pregnancy outcomes. (American College of Physicians)
- Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. (National Academy of Sciences)
- 58% more Black youth and 29% more Hispanic youth have been arrested for marijuana possession since legalization. (Colorado Department of Public Safety)
Main Stage Sessions
Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Dr. David Murray, Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute and Co-Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Policy Research
Marijuana’s Impact on Youth Panel
Marijuana’s Impact on Law Enforcement Panel
Debate Between Jeff Hunt and Rob Corry
Breakout Sessions
Legislative battles in Colorado by The Hon. Frank McNulty, Sara Boyd
Federal Law vs. State Law by Garth Van Meter, Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Impact on Homelessness by Dr. Karen Randall, Parkview Medical Center
Impact on Education by Deputy Jay Martin, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Impact on Minority Communities, Youth by Justin Riley, Young People in Recovery
Medical Marijuana: Pain and Other Uses by Dr. Ken Finn, Springs Rehabilitation, PC
Marijuana Industry Responsibility by David Blake, Esq., Partner, SPB
Dabbing, edibles, and high-potency pot by Diane Carlson & Henny Lasley, SMART Colorado
Impact on Businesses by Doug Robinson, business leader
Neurological and Health Consequences by Dr. Charlie Parks
Black/Grey Market Development by the Hon. Kirk Taylor, Pueblo County Sheriff