Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2013
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2013 Ann T. Donnelly
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Ann T. Donnelly
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n626/a04.html

WILL BE BATTLE TO KEEP POT FROM KIDS

The Dec. 27 editorial "Marijuana and minors" calls attention to the
importance of educating our young people about the dangers of
marijuana use, now that we will soon find pot for sale to adults in
convenient locations throughout our region. If Colorado, just slightly
ahead of us in developing the pot sale rules, is a bellwether, we must
prepare for a tough fight to keep pot out of the hands of many more
kids than ever before.

At DenverPost.com on Dec. 9, we learned that "pocket hookahs
proliferate with young marijuana users." Bob Doyle, executive director
of Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance, states "the
marijuana industry is as advanced or more advanced than the
e-cigarette industry. The products (e.g. pocket vaporizers or vapes)
are appealing to kids and they promote the ability to hide marijuana
use." The owner of a head shop in Englewood, Colo., stressed that he
does not sell to minors "but he acknowledged that vapes are getting
into the hands of youths and are easily available online." Latest
figures from the Colorado Division of Behavioral Health show that in
the previous 30 days, 23 to 32 percent of high school aged students
said they had smoked marijuana. The percentage rose with each higher
grade level.

Ann T. Donnelly

Vancouver 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D