News & Events
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SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – According to findings of the 2020 CA Marijuana Impact Report, stronger potency in pot products has led to an upward trend in hospital emergency room discharges related to a cannabis use disorder.
The new report on marijuana-related public health issues was released Thursday. The report also highlighted the increase in youth vaping and emergency room discharges.
The average potency of THC, the primary psychoactive chemical found in marijuana is at its highest levels in history, according to the report. There has been a 350% increase in potency between 1995 – 2018. Additionally, marijuana concentrates can contain up to 90% THC.
The most recent findings from the monitoring the future survey indicated the largest single-year increases in adolescent marijuana vaping ever recorded in the surveys 45-year history.
Statewide emergency department data indicate a continued increase in marijuana-related visits. From 2016 to 2019, California Emergency Department visits and admissions for any related marijuana misuse has increased by 89%.
The report said Marijuana remains the primary drug of choice for youth ages 12-17 entering treatment.

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Last week the Marijuana Prevention Initiative (MPI) hosted a media event to discuss findings from the California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Report: Marijuana's Impact on California 2020 and 2020 MPI Impact Report. Speakers at the event included MPI partners from the San Diego Imperial Counties HIDTA, SANDAG, Scripps Mercy Hospital and McAlister Institute.
Access the full reports below.
San Diego County Marijuana Prevention Initiative 2020 Report
California High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Report: Marijuana's Impact on California 2020
Links to News Articles from Media Event:
https://www.kusi.com/dr-burke-on-2020-ca-marijuana-impact-report/
https://www.kusi.com/san-diego-county-marijuana-prevention-initiative-on-2020-marijuana-report/



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According to findings of the 2020 HIDTA CA Marijuana Impact Report, stronger potency in pot products has led to an upward trend in hospital emergency room discharges related to cannabis use disorder. Youth vaping has increased for all grades with kids using it more frequently and at a younger age.
The new report on marijuana-related public health issues was released Tuesday.
The report is expected to highlight the increase in youth vaping and emergency room discharges.
SANDAG Director of Research and Program Management, Doctor Cynthia Burke, joined Good Morning San Diego to discuss the report.
For a copy of the full report check our website under documents and data.

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I am jealous of the efforts for car safety. We desperately need the same multidisciplinary approach for drugs and addiction. Sadly, wise public health decisions are getting pushed aside for economic benefit and the call for individual freedom. For example, electronic cigarettes hit the market without appropriate public health consideration. The industry used an untested health claim that vaping helps tobacco cessation to promote its products. However, epidemiologic studies show that for every one adult who quits cigarettes using e-cigarettes, 80 adolescents who never smoked will eventually become daily smokers through e-cigarette use.

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