Getting Smart About Marijuana: Time to Act! A review of the NADCP position paper on marijuana

Transcription

1 Getting Smart About Marijuana: Time to Act! A review of the NADCP position paper on marijuana Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D. Director & Co-Founder, Project SAM Smart Approaches to Marijuana Director, Drug Policy Institute, UF

2 What are our choices for marijuana policy? 2

3 All or nothing: Legalization ( Regulation ) vs. Incarceration( Prohibition )

4 Advocates have reframed the issue so it is about: Voting for compassion for the sick and dying 4

5 Reducing our prison population and drugrelated crime 5

6 Stimulating the economy to pay for prevention, treatment, schools, healthcare 6

7 Ending Violence 7

8 Even Though 8

9 Alcohol & Tobacco Money Makers or Dollar Drainers Alcohol Costs Costs $185 billion T obacco Costs $200 billion $14 billion $25 billion Revenues Revenues State estimates found at Federal estimates found at Also see Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, see Smoking-caused costs, on p.2. 9

10 If Only We Treated It Like Alcohol ALCOHOL ARRESTS MARIJUANA ARRESTS 2.7 million Yearly 847,000 Yearly (Does NOT include violence; Includes violations of liquor laws and driving under the influence) Federal Bureau of Investigation (2008) UniformCrime Reports, Washington,DC. 10

11 Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D.,

12 Is Marijuana Medicine? NO: SMOKED OR INHALED RAW MARIJUANA IS NOT MEDICINE YES: THERE ARE MARIJUANA-BASED PILLS AVAILABLE AND OTHER MEDICATIONS COMING SOON MAYBE: RESEARCH IS ONGOING

13 Compassionate care or increased access to marijuana? <5% Less than 5% of card holders are cancer, HIV/ AIDS, or glaucoma patients Average user: 32 WM, no illness

14 Bottom Line We don t smoke opium to get the effects of morphine. So why would we smoke marijuana to get its potential medical effects?

15 Cannabis-Based Medicines Research on the efficacy of cannabinoids is not focused on raw/crude marijuana, but in the individual components that may have medical use. Sativex is in the process of being studied (phase III trials) Approved in Canada and across Europe Administered via an oral spray 15

16 Marijuana s Health Effects Most people who use marijuana once will stop, and not become addicted. 1 in 6 kids who try marijuana will become addicted. Connected to changes in adolescent brain resulting in learning and memory problems, IQ loss, less life satisfaction; mental illness risk; car crashes 16

17 Increased Marijuana Treatment Admissions 1993 and % 50% PERCENT OF ADMISSIONS % 30% 20% 10% 0 Alcohol Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Source: Treatment Episode Data Set, US Health and Human Services, 1993 & 2007 Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D.,

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19 Changes in Perceptions Lead to Changes in Reality MARIJUANA USE AND PERCEIVED RISK AMONG 12TH GRADERS, 1975 TO % 40% Past Year Use 30% 20% Perceived Risk 10% Source: The Monitoring the Future study, the University of Michigan

20 Support for Marijuana Legalization in the United States Has Reached Sources: Gallup and GSS Unprecedented Levels Year Do not support legalization Support Legalization 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 20

21 So what can we do? Right now, US is on fast track to legalization without proper discussion of pros and cons. And if we don t act now, we will be responsible for ushering in an irreversible policy that will destroy the lives of millions. 21

22 Let s Not Repeat Mistakes of Alcohol & Tobacco Use levels for alcohol and tobacco are much higher than marijuana Industries promote addiction and target kids Schiller JS, Lucas JW, Peregoy JA. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(256) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Aged 18 Years United States, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2011;60(33):

23 So what does a smart approach look like? 23

24 We Need A SMART APPROACH Not about legalization vs. incarceration We can be against legalization but also for health, education, and common-sense 24

25 Chairs: Patrick J. Kennedy, David Frum Nonpartisan group led by public health trustees Launched January 10 th, Denver Over 5,000 press mentions Local Affiliates in CA, MA, VT, HI, and more in 2013

26 1. To inform public policy with the science of today s marijuana. 2. To have honest conversations about reducing the unintended consequences of current marijuana policies, such as lifelong stigma due to arrest. 3. To prevent the establishment of Big Marijuana that would market marijuana to children and to prevent Big Tobacco from taking over Big Marijuana. Those are the very likely results of legalization. 4. To promote research of marijuana s medical properties and produce pharmacy-attainable medications. 26

27 NADCP Statement in line with SAM principles NADCP supports a balanced policy approach to marijuana-related offenses, which does not emphasize either legalization of marijuana or incarceration for marijuana use, but rather offers an evidence-based combination of treatment and behavioral interventions to achieve longterm recovery from marijuana abuse and addiction. 27