NEWS RELEASE - Recreational marijuana: What you need to know for April 20

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April 19, 2019  |  Recreational Marijuana & 4/20

Contact:
Sgt. Michael VandenBosch
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
mvandenbosch@miottawa.org
(616) 738-4042
or

Becky Young
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
ryoung@miottawa.org
(616)393-5791 or cell: 616-217-7218

driving

Recreational marijuana

What you need to know for April 20

April 20, 4/20 or 420, has become a popular date among recreational marijuana users, where people who smoke marijuana tend to smoke more than usual. With this Saturday being the first 420 in Michigan since recreation use became legal, it is important to keep safety and legality in mind.

  Illegal:

  • It is illegal to use marijuana in any public space.
  • It is illegal to drive or operate a motor vehicle, including boats
    and ORVs under the influence of marijuana.
    • A third of impaired driving incidents can be traced to marijuana,
      according to Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
    • It is always best to have a designated driver, who will remain
      completely sober, or use a taxi or other ride service.
    • Marijuana impairs psychomotor performance; which can limit movement and coordination, manipulation and dexterity, grace, strength and speed. All of which are related to driving.*
  • It is illegal to possess or use recreational marijuana for people
    younger than the age of 21.
  • It is illegal for someone to give marijuana to people younger than the age of 21.

"The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is committed to combat drugged driving by taking a zero tolerance approach in our enforcement efforts. This effort will be emphasized this weekend.

Deputies will be on the lookout for impaired drivers which includes drivers who use marijuana. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office has a number of deputies who have been trained to look for, process and arrest drivers who are impaired by drugs.

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office reminds drivers that if you feel different, you drive different."

Sgt. Mike VandenBosch
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
Traffic Services Unit

   Marijuana Use and Teens: 

  • Using marijuana during adolescence will interfere with brain development; doubling the risk of depression or bipolar disorder and quadruples the risk of developing psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, schizophrenia, angry outbursts).
  • Today’s marijuana has 217% more potency than in 1995, which contributes to the increased likelihood of developing psychosis.
    • 1 in 6 teens who use marijuana become addicted.
    • Long-term consistent use (at least one time per week and compared with non-users) decreases likelihood of earning a college degree, decreases income, increases dependency on welfare and increases rate of unemployment.
    • Concentrated marijuana edibles, oils and waxes are 50-90% THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

For more information, visit http://www.talksooner.org/.

“Our goal is to ensure that people have the tools that they need in order to make informed and responsible decisions. Marijuana is a drug that causes impairment and it very dangerous for teens and young adults. Parents can and do have a huge influence in the decisions that their kids make. We encourage parents to talk to their kids about marijuana use and the potential consequences to their health, if they were to use it. For tips and resources to help with those conversations, parents can visit www.talksooner.org.”

Becky Young
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
Health Promotion Supervisor

* Source: Professor Dr. Dr. (h.c.) Marilyn A. Huestis, Lambert Center for Study of Medicinal Cannabis & Hemp, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

cdc marijuana

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, with approximately 22.2 million users each month.
  • Research shows that about 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For people who begin using before the age of 18, that number rises to 1 in 6.
  • Marijuana use directly affects the brain — specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time. Developing brains, like those in babies, children, and teens, are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of marijuana.
  • Eating foods or drinking beverages that contain marijuana have some different risks than smoking marijuana, including a greater risk of poisoning.
  • Long-term or frequent marijuana use has been linked to increased risk of psychosis or schizophrenia in some users.
  • Using marijuana during pregnancy may increase the baby’s risk for developmental problems.

LEARN MORE

 

 

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