Welcome to KeepIdaho.org

KeepIdaho.org was created in order to shed some light on facts about marijuana legalization that aren’t typically publicized, especially the impact on communities in neighboring states where recreational marijuana is legal.

We are surrounded by states that have experienced the process, politics, and promises that marijuana brings; from the introduction of medicinal marijuana to full-on recreational legalization, and we believe Idaho can learn from them in determining the future we want for Idaho.

Based on what we’ve learned from Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Montana, we want to make sure our fellow Idahoans have access to real, hard truths that will help you better understand what’s at stake for our state.

TOPIC: Potency of Marijuana

Colorado average bud/flower potency:

17.1%

In comparison, THC levels in the 1980’s were around 3-4%.

HIDTA 2017 Pg. 132- Source: Potency Monitoring Program, Quarterly Report Number 135

Shedding light on some little-known facts about marijuana legalization.

TOPIC: Taxes

“So far, the only thing that marijuana legalization has brought into our school has been marijuana.”

Harry C. Bull, Jr., Ed.D. Direct from the Superintendent. August 23, 2016.

TOPIC: Traffic

Colorado traffic deaths doubled from 55 to 123.

TOPIC: Traffic

Colorado traffic deaths doubled from 55 to 123.

Marijuana-related traffic deaths when a driver was positive for marijuana more than doubled from 55 deaths in 2013 to 123 deaths in 2016.

Source: Colorado Department of Transportation 2012-2016.

About Us

The Office of Transparency is our creative vehicle for inviting open dialogue, because Idaho is an open place — with open land, an open business mindset, and of course an open-mind mindset.

We’re pretty independent. And that’s why we’re putting facts about marijuana legalization out in the open. You can inhale some pure, unrefined data on the effects of legalization on other states right here at keepIdaho.org.

#UnalteredState

TOPIC: Children Ingestion

Poison center calls increase: from 9 to 47

“In 2016, Dr. Wang found that average rate of marijuana-related visits to the children’s hospital doubled after legalization. Poison center calls about marijuana went from nine in 2009 to 47 in 2015.”

Source: Hartman RL, Richjan JE, Hayes CE, Huestis MA, “Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) examination characteristics of cannabis impairment,” April 22, 2016

TOPIC: Taxes

Tax revenue
only 0.8%

TOPIC: Taxes

Tax revenue
only 0.8%

Colorado annual tax revenue from the sale of recreational and medical marijuana was 0.8 percent of Colorado’s total statewide budget (FY 2016).

Source: Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting.

TOPIC: Youth Usage

Youth usage rates skyrocket in legal states.

TOPIC: Youth Usage

Youth usage rates skyrocket in legal states.

States that have legalized marijuana have dramatically higher marijuana use rates among teenagers and young adults compared to national average.

Rhode Island, which legalized medicinal use, tops the list for use by 12-17 year olds with rates 55% higher than the national average and 82% higher than Idaho. The percentage of youth aged 12-17 in Alaska that reported past month marijuana use is 80% higher than Idaho youth.

Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Sciences and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2015 and 2016.

TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

18%
Violent crime is up 18%.

TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

18%
Violent crime is up 18%.

Property crime from 2013-2016 increased 8.3%, violent crime increased 18.6%, and all crime increased 10.8%.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

TOPIC: Dispensaries/Use

491 in-state dispensaries and counting.

As of June 2017, there were 491 retail marijuana stores in the state of Colorado compared to 392 Starbucks and 208 McDonalds.

Source: Colorado Department of Revenue; Starbucks Coffee Company, Corporate Office Headquarters; McDonalds Corporation, Corporate Office Headquarters.

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Sources Cited

In full transparency, here’s our list of sources cited, carefully-curated into one convenient list.

AAA NewsRoom – Fatal Road Crashes Double

2016 National Survey on Drug Use

Newborns Testing Postitive for Cannabis

Marijuana Toxicity in Pets

Rocky Mountain Marijuana Impact Report 2017

Rocky Mountain Marijuana Impact Report 2016

Toxic Chemicals Killing California Wildlife

Washington Marijuana Impact Report 2017

AZ Chamber of Commerce Policy Brief

TOPIC: Health Consequenses

Teen emergency room visits have quadrupled.

TOPIC: Health Consequenses

Teen emergency room visits have quadrupled.

In 2017, researchers reported “the number of teenagers sent to emergency rooms more than quadrupled after marijuana was legalized in Colorado – mostly for mental health symptoms”

Source: Hartman RL, Richjan JE, Hayes CE, Huestis MA, “Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) examination characteristics of cannabis impairment,” April 22, 2016.

TOPIC: Potency of Marijuana

62.1%
Colorado average hash oil potency

The average potency for concentrated (hash oil) in Colorado is 62.1 percent with some extracts reaching over 90 percent.

Source: Potency Monitoring Program, Quarterly Report Number 135

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Pesticides common in many dispensaries.

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Pesticides common in many dispensaries.

In a small lab study 35% of dispensary marijuana tested in California was positive for pesticides at levels unacceptable for fruit and vegetables.

Source: Jeffrey Raber, PhD. Presentation at Humbolt State University titled “Medical Cannabis Quality Control in California: Keeping a Weed Free Garden.” November 2013.

TOPIC: Potency of Marijuana

448%
increase of pet poisonings.

Over the past six years Pet Poison Helpline has experienced a 448 percent increase in the number of cases for pets that have ingested marijuana.

Source: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/marijuana-toxicity-pets/

TOPIC: Damage to the Environment

Ironically, marijuana is one of the least green industries out there.

TOPIC: Damage to the Environment

Ironically, marijuana is one of the least green industries out there.

Despite efforts to legalize marijuana production in California, the California forest service estimated approaching 400 illegal grow sites in 2017.

Carbofuran, an extremely toxic pesticide banned in the United States, is turning up at 60 to 70 percent of those sites. Illegal grows are killing wildlife, polluting streams and rivers, decimating fish populations, clear cutting vegetation and natural habitat, destroying ecosystems, and hijacking public lands for drug operations.

Source: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/09/28/toxic-chemicals-california-wildlife-marijuana-grows/

TOPIC: Children

Newborns testing positive.

St. Mary Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado told CBS that during one month, nearly half of the babies born there had marijuana in their system.

Source: https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/9k955e/more-newborns-are-testing-positive-for-cannabis-colorado-hospital-says

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Additional Resources

Below is a list of additional, trusted national resources to read-up on the issues further

https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/marijuana

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/

https://www.samhsa.gov/atod/marijuana

http://www.nationalfamilies.org

https://www.drugabuse.gov

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html

https://www.fda.gov/tobaccoproducts/labeling/productsingredientscomponents/ucm456610.htm

http://www.rmhidta.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/687/MenuGroup/RMHIDTAHome.htm

http://drugfreeazkids.org/

https://teens.drugabuse.gov/

TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

Seizures of marijuana have increased 914%

TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

Seizures of marijuana have increased 914%

Seizures of Colorado marijuana in the U.S. mail has increased 914% from an average of 97 pounds (2009-2013) to 984 pounds (2013-2016) in the four-year average that recreational marijuana has been legal.

Source: United States Postal Inspection Service, Prohibited Mailing of Narcotics.

Topic: Traffic

One in six Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had recently used marijuana.

Topic: Traffic

One in six Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had recently used marijuana.

Source: AAA NewsRoom. “Fatal Road Crashes Involving Marijuana Double after State Legalizes Drug” May 2016. http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/05/fatal- road-crashes-involving-marijuana-double-state-legalizes-drug/

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Should dispensaries be diagnosing patients?

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Should dispensaries be diagnosing patients?

Medical vs. Recreational
“Patients are being diagnosed and treated from the marijuana shops by those without any medical training.”

Source: Colorado Emergency Room Doctor, Dr. Brad Roberts.

Welcome to KeepIdaho.org

Shedding light on some little-known facts about marijuana legalization.

TOPIC: Taxes

“So far, the only thing that marijuana legalization has brought into our school has been marijuana.”

TOPIC: Traffic

Colorado traffic deaths doubled from 55 to 123.

#UnalteredState

TOPIC: Taxes

Tax revenue only 0.8%

TOPIC: Youth Usage

Youth usage rates skyrocket in legal states.

TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

18% Violent crime is up 18%.

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TOPIC: Health Consequenses

Teen emergency room visits have quadrupled.

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Pesticides common in many dispensaries.

TOPIC: Damage to the Environment

Ironically, marijuana is one of the least green industries out there.

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TOPIC: Black Market/Crime

Seizures of marijuana have increased 914%

Topic: Traffic

One in six Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had recently used marijuana.

TOPIC: Medicinal?

Should dispensaries be diagnosing patients?

Tax revenue
only 0.8%

18%
Violent crime is up 18%.