No 'significant issues' from marijuana legalization, says Colorado medical officer

VIANARCHRIS

Well-Known Member
The Chief Medical Officer in Colorado, where marijuana was legalized in 2014, has some advice for Canada leading up to the legalization of marijuana on July 1.

Dr. Larry Wolk told Island Morning host Matt Rainnie Canadians have been interested in hearing his opinions on the subject since it was confirmed marijuana legalization was coming to Canada, and to hear what his state's experience has been.

"The short answer is we haven't seen much," said Wolk.

"We haven't experienced any significant issues as a result of legalization."

One in four adults and one in five youth use marijuana on a somewhat regular basis," said Wolk, and those numbers haven't changed since legalization.

More hospital visits
Wolk noted marijuana has caused a few more visits to the ER, but most of those people are visitors, not residents. He credits an extensive education campaign with helping residents use marijuana safely.

On the subject of safety, Wolk cautioned against selling marijuana in liquor stores or bars.


It makes some sense to align the legal age for marijuana and alcohol use, says Dr. Larry Wolk. (Radio-Canada)

"The co-use of marijuana and liquor is a bad idea," he said.

"Marijuana in of itself — or the THC — and alcohol in of itself can cause impairment, and we know that those effects are not just additive but exponentially increased if somebody chooses to co-use both substances."

Health issues versus practical issues
Setting a legal age for use is tricky, said Wolk, because there are both health and practical factors to take into consideration.

"Biologically we know the correct age should be 25," he said.

"Nineteen may be a little too young, I mean because, again, of the developing brain issues, but if that's the legal drinking age and you already have a high prevalence … then it may make sense to align that with the legal drinking age."

In Colorado the legal age for marijuana use is 21, the same as for alcohol.

The Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey has found that P.E.I. youth already have the highest rates of marijuana use in the country, with about one in four reporting in 2014-15 they had used it in the previous 12 months.

Wolk said there are still unanswered questions about legalization. There has been no increase in recorded impaired driving, but the numbers are difficult to track.

It terms of marijuana being a gateway drug, he said Colorado has seen an increase in heroin-related deaths, but those increases are in line with national trends, and again there is no clear evidence either way.
 

zoic

Well-Known Member
Nineteen may be a little too young, I mean because, again, of the developing brain issues
I am getting really tired of this FUD. Unless you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, your brain keeps developing ALL YOUR LIFE. On that basis there is no age in life that is old enough. There are so many factors that affect brain development, so we need to call for scientific proof or this is just another red herring that the government wants people to believe.
 

CalyxCrusher

Well-Known Member
I believe they mean developing cognitively. Not too much major development occurs after 25. Just like you actually dont stop growing until your early 20s when the last bone in your body finishes around then. I get what you're saying though, seems like an arbitrary number when no one can decide on one
 

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
It's funny that they say cannabis effects early brain development, what about tobacco, alcohol, and pills? I'd like to believe that something that is addictive and harmful would effect brain development more than something habit forming and nontoxic.
Sure. That's true. Doesn't mean that cannabis doesn't have adverse effects.
 

greg nr

Well-Known Member
This is basically what the governor of CO (Klinckenberg ?) has been saying over and over. That their worst fears have not come true, and that the issues they do face are more administrative than public health related.

He advises new states to take it slowly, but that in the end, nothing terrible happened to CO after legalization.

He also lists a lot of benefits, mostly from the tax revenues.

It's all on the google somewhere.
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
The issue with age and related harms is a non-issue in that if kids are going to partake, it doesn't matter what that legal age is, they'll get it and smoke it. I started at 12, surely someone 16-18 would have several avenues to get whatever amount of smoke they wanted. The issue is whether they end up with a criminal record like today vs. a fine or nothing at all. In that sense I'd rather see the age match liquor or 18 across the board. Not that I'd encourage kids to smoke, but come on, if they want to smoke no matter what you say they will smoke, likely sooner/younger if you try and stop them.
 

greg nr

Well-Known Member
Yeah, really, do you want kids buying weed from the same markets where they can get pills or meth? Sure, some weed dealers only sell weed because they grow it themselves, but not all just sell one product.

Kids are far more likely to try something dangerous if they know the guy selling it.
 

gb123

Well-Known Member
dont know to many pot dealers who selll heroin or coke
Heroin dealers ell heroin lol
coke dealers etc....
\no one would by coke or junk from a pot dealer :lol:

sad compassion people ..really shows how it doesn't work.
 

Gquebed

Well-Known Member
On a different note the article mentions that there was not much change in consumption. One in four adults partake and one in five youths partake and that hasn't changed much from averages prior to legalization?

That doesn't surprise me. And I've been saying that will likely be the case here in Canada.
 

gb123

Well-Known Member
there's definitely no new found market for the government swhags.
they talk about short comings like the market is short now or something? lol..

oh boy they're in for an eye opener if and when they legalize the shit lol
 

greg nr

Well-Known Member
As long as they keep the headaches high, there won't be much of a new market. They may get some of the existing market, but only if the quality is good, prices are reasonable, and access isn't an issue.

In my state, towns can opt out of allowing any cannabis related business, and a LOT are. It's a nimby thing, but the result will be a 30-40 minute drive to a store, each way. If it isn't convenient, people won't shop there once the novelty wears off.

Then there is the whole driving issue, and employment issues.

It's a marketing plan from hell. Poor quality, high prices, restricted access, punative environment. Yet the smart money expects to make truckloads of cash.......

Makes ya wonder.
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
On a different note the article mentions that there was not much change in consumption. One in four adults partake and one in five youths partake and that hasn't changed much from averages prior to legalization?

That doesn't surprise me. And I've been saying that will likely be the case here in Canada.
I've been saying much the same for a while, not sure why some think that the market will somehow blow up into some mega market once it's legal. It would seem the LP investors know something we don't, they better, otherwise there's going to be a lot of investors f'd. My take is that anyone who wants to smoke, already smokes and already has a hook-up at much less than any LP schwagg will sell for. Good luck m'fkrs (LP's), you'll need it.
 

rocpilefsj

Misguided Angel
I've been saying much the same for a while, not sure why some think that the market will somehow blow up into some mega market once it's legal. It would seem the LP investors know something we don't, they better, otherwise there's going to be a lot of investors f'd. My take is that anyone who wants to smoke, already smokes and already has a hook-up at much less than any LP schwagg will sell for. Good luck m'fkrs (LP's), you'll need it.
I’ve always wondered how much lp’s sell for? Is it strictly by the gram? One set price or dependant on income?
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
I’ve always wondered how much lp’s sell for? Is it strictly by the gram? One set price or dependant on income?
Yeah like gb posted, all over the place price-wise, probably $8 on the low end. I've tried some from a 3rd level acquaintance that has a script, every time I've seen/tried it, it's crap I wouldn't throw into my trim/hash bin ffs. I never let her know that I grow because she's a pain in the ass and thinks that weed is Ok - lmao.
 

Gquebed

Well-Known Member
I've been saying much the same for a while, not sure why some think that the market will somehow blow up into some mega market once it's legal. It would seem the LP investors know something we don't, they better, otherwise there's going to be a lot of investors f'd. My take is that anyone who wants to smoke, already smokes and already has a hook-up at much less than any LP schwagg will sell for. Good luck m'fkrs (LP's), you'll need it.
Exactly my thoughts. Those who smoke already have a source. I suspect that there will be a lot of initial demand for people who are curious about it and can try it legally. But after that when the novelty wears off and just be back to business as usual. And I think a lot of the producers who are weak financially will fall by the wayside and the strong will survive and take up the market share...
At least that's how it usually works with new markets
 
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