Protecting Colorado's Youth from Marijuana's Potent Grip

As the world eagerly awaits the start of the Olympics, a different kind of competition is unfolding in Colorado. The biennial Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, provides a revealing snapshot of the health and well-being of the state's middle and high school students. This year's results offer both encouraging news and sobering challenges in the ongoing battle to safeguard youth from the dangers of commercialized marijuana.

Empowering Colorado's Youth to Overcome Marijuana's Allure

Dabbing Decline: A Promising Step Forward

The survey results reveal a significant decrease in the percentage of students who reported dabbing ultrapotent marijuana concentrates. Between 2021 and 2023, the percentage of high school students who dabbed THC concentrates dropped from 49.2% to 31.2%, while for middle school students, the decline was even more pronounced, from 39.5% to 23.3%. This is a remarkable achievement, as THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, has been proven to have detrimental effects on the developing brain, which continues to mature until the age of 25.This success can be attributed to the tireless efforts of numerous organizations and the substantial investment of financial resources, including donations from everyday citizens, private foundations, and state funds. One Chance to Grow Up, a nonprofit focused on protecting youth from commercialized marijuana, played a crucial role in informing state legislators about the need for tighter regulations. Their advocacy led to the passage of House Bill 21-1317, which required the creation of a mandatory educational handout on the health risks of using high-concentrate marijuana products and dramatically reduced the purchase amount allowed for marijuana concentrates, limiting the ability of 18-year-olds to buy large quantities for resale to younger classmates.

Maintaining the Momentum: Addressing the Vaping Challenge

While the decline in dabbing is a significant victory, the survey results also reveal a concerning trend. Despite the drop in dabbing, there was no change in the percentage of high school students who reported using THC concentrates, hash oil, or waxes within the past month, which remains at 8%. This suggests that teens are shifting from dabbing to vaping as the preferred method of ingesting highly potent THC concentrates.The data show an increase in the percentage of high school students who had used marijuana in the previous 30 days and reported vaping concentrated THC. This group grew from 39.1% in 2021 to 46% in 2023, a concerning upward trajectory. In 2015, the rate was just 21.8%, highlighting the alarming explosion of vaping among Colorado's youth over the past eight years.The proliferation of fruity and sweet-flavored marijuana vaping products, which are highly attractive to young people, is a significant contributor to this trend. These products are also disturbingly discreet, resembling everyday items like crayons or TicTac containers, making them easily concealed and accessible to students.

Calling for Legislative Action: Protecting Youth from Vaping Threats

Colorado cannot rely solely on federal regulations to safeguard its youth from the dangers of THC vaping products. Protecting kids from these insidious products requires decisive action from the state's elected officials. Lawmakers must take heed of the survey results and recognize the urgent need for new legislation to address the growing threat of marijuana vaping among Colorado's students.Even proponents of marijuana legalization at the federal level have expressed support for prohibiting flavored cannabis vapes, acknowledging the harm they pose to young people. Colorado's legislators must follow suit and take bold steps to curb the availability and appeal of these products, ensuring that the state's youth are shielded from their detrimental effects.The next Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, scheduled for 2025, will provide a crucial opportunity to assess the progress made in the fight against youth marijuana vaping. However, the path to victory will require strong leadership, unwavering teamwork, and a shared commitment to protecting Colorado's future generations. Only through such concerted efforts can the state celebrate more wins in the race to safeguard its youth from the perils of commercialized marijuana.