Pubdate: Sun, 17 Nov 2013
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Mason Tvert
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n542/a04.html

INCREASE IN MARIJUANA INCIDENTS IN COLO. PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Re: "High times in schools," Nov. 12 news story.

The Denver Post dropped the ball in its story about teen marijuana use.

The article's theme is that marijuana use has increased in Colorado 
since it began regulating medical marijuana in 2010. Yet teen use 
actually decreased in Colorado after regulation. According to the 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control, use by high school students dropped 
11 percent in Colorado between 2009 and 2011; it increased 11 percent 
nationwide during the same time period.

The report also omits any mention of the research conducted by 
economists in Colorado, Montana and Oregon, which found no evidence 
that marijuana legalization increases the likelihood of teen use. In 
fact, it appears to decrease in states that "liberalize" marijuana 
laws, according to a 2012 University of Colorado Denver press release.

Teen marijuana use is a very serious issue that should be reported on 
responsibly and objectively. The Post failed to do so.

Mason Tvert, Denver The writer is director of communications for the 
Marijuana Policy Project.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom