Are You the Parent of a Teen? View our Lending Library for Books and DVD's

The guts of selling and consuming mj in Colorado

After contributing over 35 hours to a subgroup of the Amendment 64 Task Force called the Consumer Safety and Social Issues Work Group, I have mixed emotions about the final bills that the legislature passed regarding the marketing and sales of marijuana. In all aspects of my life, I try to focus on the positive so I will start there. Following are key points summarized by blogger Jacob Sullum:

•Marijuana stores may not engage in “mass-market campaigns that have a high likelihood of reaching minors.” This should mean that billboards are disallowed.

•Marijuana-oriented magazines must be kept behind the counter in stores that are open to people younger than 21.

•Marijuana products must be sold in tamper-resistant packages listing THC content.

•Pot stores may not sell regular snacks and drinks. This is to avoid confusion about the product someone is buying. If a rice krispie treat or energy drink is purchased, then the buyer should be clearly aware that the edible or drink is infused with marijuana.

•On-site consumption of marijuana will not be permitted.

HB 13-1317 is 70 pages long and like many bills, it is dry, yet interesting reading. It is glaring to me that no funding was dedicated for public education about marijuana use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in six people who engage in marijuana in their teens are likely to develop a dependence to the substance. If taken regularly (whether smoked, inhaled, vaporized, or eaten), then teens have a much higher likelihood of failing in school and dropping out. For those who develop a dependence, the cost to the individual and society are significant. Illicit drug use alone accounts for $181 billion in health care, productivity loss, crime, incarceration and drug enforcement. The cost of substance abuse could be offset by a nationwide implementation of effective prevention policies and programs.

In addition to no funding for education, it is frustrating that childproof packaging was not required for marijuana products. The packages will be tamper resistant and opaque. It seems like this could be interpreted as a black baggie with a tight seal.

After January 1, 2014 Colorado adults may choose to partake of marijuana for recreational use, yet children and youth should not. Prevention efforts are needed intensively now. Team Fort Collins has already increased its focus on educating youth about marijuana and we will continue to do so. Not just because of the statistics, but because we see a need each and every week.

I’ll never forget an exchange that I had with a 15-year-old boy last week. He told me that his 21-year-old brother, who lives at home and has no job, has a medical marijuana card. The brother doesn’t seem to have an injury. One of his brother’s buddies just had an extra card and gave it to him. The brother often makes his own treats with hash oil. He puts it into butter, peanut butter bars and small chocolate candies and encourages the 15-year-old to have some. The younger brother always takes the treats and gives him to his mom. When it gets to be too much, then he hangs out at a friend’s house. We want this young man to finish school, pursue his interest in biochemistry and get a job. He wants to become a contributing member to society and, in a small way, our prevention education programs can help him do that.

No comments so far.

Postcard sent to 1,755 households

parent postcard2013

We sent this postcard to 1,755 households in Fort Collins and the surrounding area that have graduating high school seniors. What do you think? Do you have a graduating high school senior? What did you do to celebrate?

2 comments, latest by:
  • Stacey Clark
    “Thanks Jac! ” Read more.
  • Jac Crenshaw
    “Hi Team! I think this postcard is great. I have been so impressed with the work you guys are doing ...” Read more.

Drink Coffee (or Tea) in Support of Team Fort Collins

Thank You Human Bean

1 comment, latest by:
  • Meghan Winokur
    “For the past several days National Public Radio has had a series about coffee and how much it is a ...” Read more.

County Commissioners Ask: What do you think of legalized marijuana?

The Board of County Commissioners have scheduled two public listening
sessions on the implementation of Amendment 64.
The Fort Collins session is next Tuesday, April 30th from 6:30 to 9pm
in the Courthouse Offices Building hearing room. The Loveland session
is Wednesday, May 1st from 6:30 to 9pm in the Loveland City Council
Chambers.

Addresses and additional details can be found heremarijuana.

No comments so far.

April 21st is National Talk To Your Kids About Alcohol Day

Really. It really is. Possibly this one hasn’t made the calendars yet, but it exists. And MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has put together a great resource page for helping us talk to our kids in an effective way. Check out their CONVERSATION STARTERS or Daily Tips for Parents. Let us know how it goes.

powertalk21

 

No comments so far.

Benzo-Fury: latest drug to buy on-line

benzo-fury

Of COURSE the label says “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”, that’s not new or unique in the ever-evolving game of “legal” ways to sell drugs that get you high. But I AM impressed with their description of what it is: RESEARCH AND CHEMICAL PELLETS. hmmmm…..

Bottom line: another new drug that can be bought on-line. It has both amphetamine and hallucinogenic effects. Read more about the dangers  here.

No comments so far.

National Medication Take-Back Day is April 27, 2013

Local Law Enforcement Takes Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs April 27

Because extra medication can be used for unintended purposes, its best not to keep it around. Among adolescents, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the commonly abused illicit drugs by high school seniors according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. On April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to properly dispose of unused, unneeded, and/or expired prescription medications. prescriptions

Area drop off locations will be held at the following sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous.
Fort Collins: Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Road
Colorado State University, Green Hall, 750 S. Meridian Ave.
Estes Park: Rocky Mountain Pharmacy, 453 East Wonderview Avenue
Loveland: Loveland Police Department, 810 E. 10th St.
Wellington: Wellington Fire Station #1, 8130 3rd Street
Windsor: 200 N. 11th
Red Feather: Fire Station at 44 Firehouse Lane

Last September, over 488,395 pounds—244 tons—of prescription drugs were collected at sites operated by the DEA and their state and local law enforcement partners. When added to the collections from previous Take-Back events, more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation. Continue reading “National Medication Take-Back Day is April 27, 2013″

No comments so far.

Another Marijuana First for Colorado

The nation’s first marijuana tourism company is opening in Colorado. The Denver Post reports  “My 420 Tours  says it will CO highpick up tourists at the airport, connect them with a marijuana-friendly hotel, set up marijuana-making demonstrations and tours of dispensaries, and provide tickets to marijuana-themed events and concerts.”

Al White, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office is skeptical and says that his office will not be helping out  My 420 Tours with any marketing assistance. “There’s way too much to see and do in Colorado to use marijuana as a platform for marketing our state.” White is concerned that marijuana tourism could hurt the state’s image, which relies heavily  on healthy, family-friendly outdoor activities. “Legalized marijuana promotes just the opposite.”

No comments so far.
Page 1 of 1412345...10...Last »