Marijuana Legalization in the Midwest

Marijuana Legalization in the Midwest:

The Potential Impact

March 2019

Jeffrey B. Stamm Executive Director, Midwest HIDTA

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Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 The Midwest HIDTA Region ............................................................................................................... 5 Purpose .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 1: Diversion, Crime, and Traffic Fatalities ........................................................... 12

Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 12 Overproduction .................................................................................................................................... 13 Inadequate Regulation ........................................................................................................................ 13 Diversion and Trafficking ................................................................................................................... 14 Parcel...................................................................................................................................................... 14 Crime ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Traffic Fatalities and Impaired Driving ............................................................................................ 22 Chapter 2: Accessibility and Use............................................................................................ 25 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 25 State Estimates of Youth Marijuana Use........................................................................................... 25 State Estimates of Adult Marijuana Use ........................................................................................... 28 The Alaskan Example .......................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 3: Impacts on Health ................................................................................................. 31 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 31 Emergency Room Visits, Hospitalizations, and Poison Center Data ........................................... 31 THC Extraction Labs ........................................................................................................................... 34 Pesticide Use ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Contents of Marijuana Smoke ............................................................................................................ 36 Chapter 4: Potency .................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 37 Modern Marijuana ............................................................................................................................... 37 Edible Marijuana .................................................................................................................................. 39 Chapter 5: Marijuana as an Opioid Alternative.................................................................. 41 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 41 Research................................................................................................................................................. 41

Chapter 6: The Inadequacies of Marijuana Reporting Systems ...................................... 44 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 44 Midwestern Requirements ................................................................................................................. 44 Seed-to-sale ........................................................................................................................................... 45 RFID ....................................................................................................................................................... 46 Cloning .................................................................................................................................................. 46 Theft ....................................................................................................................................................... 47 Self-reporting Data Quality ................................................................................................................ 47

Chapter 7: Marijuana Revenue............................................................................................... 48 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 48 Estimated Revenue for Midwest........................................................................................................ 48 Costs and Benefits of Marijuana in Colorado .................................................................................. 49 Additional Costs................................................................................................................................... 50 Falling Marijuana Prices...................................................................................................................... 51

Chapter 8: Regulatory Overview............................................................................................ 53 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 53 Dosing Concerns and Physician Guidelines .................................................................................... 53 Purchase and Possession Limitations................................................................................................ 54 Packaging, Labeling, and Marketing................................................................................................. 55

Chapter 9: Terminology ........................................................................................................... 57 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................ 57 "Recreational" Marijuana ................................................................................................................... 57 "Medical" Marijuana ........................................................................................................................... 58 "Medical" Cannabidiol........................................................................................................................ 59 Cannabis: A "Rebranding" of Marijuana ......................................................................................... 59

Conclusion.................................................................................................................................. 61 Appendices:................................................................................................................................ 63

Iowa Code Chapter 124E..................................................................................................................... 63 Missouri Amendment 2 ...................................................................................................................... 65 North Dakota Measure 5..................................................................................................................... 67 References................................................................................................................................... 69

Introduction

The Midwest HIDTA Region

The Midwest HIDTA's seven-state area consists of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The region spans over 428,000 square miles, encompasses 72 HIDTA-designated counties, and is considered the largest of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's 28 HIDTA regions. It is as varied as it is vast, and incorporates major urban cities, separated by suburban sprawl and rural bucolic settings. Within the Midwest HIDTA are more than 4,300 miles of interstate highways and an international border stretching over 300 miles. Its central location and intertwining roadways make the region ideal for drug trafficking organizations and criminal entrepreneurs intent on transporting drugs into or through to other destinations.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to examine the effects of marijuana legalization in other states in order to provide drug policy experts and law enforcement leaders with potential impacts and consequences for Midwestern states that are contemplating the legalization of "medical" and/or "recreational" marijuana. This report will utilize data and trends from other states with legalized marijuana access in order to develop accurate and relevant predictions. California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will frequently be cited and used for comparison as their marijuana programs have existed long enough for an adequate amount of data to be collected. This data includes, but is not limited to:

Marijuana-related crime and violence Marijuana diversion Drugged driving and traffic fatalities Adult and youth marijuana use Health-related impacts The social costs of legalization Marijuana-related revenue

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