Colo. Pot Taxes Have Helped Spread Awareness About Health Dangers

DENVER, CO -- Ever since voters approved the legalization of retail marijuana in 2014, a portion of state pot taxes have gone to a statewide health campaign to educate Coloradans about the effects of marijuana on children, breastfeeding mothers and human motivation.

The Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment has been tracking these efforts, according to a new report. According to the report the department's Good to Know campaign has started to make a difference in awareness, according to a statement released by CDPHE.

Colorado adults familiar with the campaign were 2.5 times more likely to know key marijuana laws, with marijuana users more knowledgeable than nonusers. Adult perceptions of the risks and health effects of marijuana use also increased significantly after the campaign. The number of those who knew the risks of driving after using marijuana increased 23 percent and those who realized daily use could impair memory increased 26 percent.

The campaign also showed "more parents are planning to talk to their children about the risks of marijuana use, most young women know the danger of marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and more young people know that using marijuana makes it harder to complete the tasks that help them reach their goals," the department said.

“We’re encouraged by the early success of Colorado’s marijuana education efforts,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director and chief medical officer of CDPHE in a statement. “We will continue to work with other state agencies, local public health, the marijuana industry and community groups to ensure the safe, legal and responsible use of marijuana.”

Health department education campaigns are available in English and Spanish, available at Marihuana en Colorado: Lo Que Debes Entender.

Part of those tax dollars are aimed at prevention among young people, who are especially vulnerable to the negative legal and health effects of marijuana use, the CDPHE statement said. The Protect What’s Next youth prevention campaign helps raise awareness.

It is illegal for those under age 21 to purchase or use marijuana, and research shows marijuana use has negative effects on adolescent brain development. The health department developed a two-pronged approach to educating youth. It shows young people how marijuana use can get in the way of achieving their goals and gives parents and other trusted adults the tools they need to talk to youth about marijuana.

What's next? The department said future campaign and educational outreach efforts launching in spring 2018 will focus on providing Colorado marijuana users and tourists with information they need to make safe and responsible decisions while continuing to reach youth and pregnant and breastfeeding women with messages about prevention.

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