Michigan “homes are blowing up from ‘blasting’ marijuana, a risky business,” warned former judge Brian MacKenzie last year. In Battle Creek, on July 22, 2018, a massive fire displaced more than 60 people in a four-story apartment building. The explosion started in a marijuana lab. Since the Michigan ballot would allow 12 plants per residence — more than any state — it offers an invitation to hide drug labs in the home or apartment. Could your family or neighborhood be next?
At least two more child abuse deaths related to marijuana use occurred in May. In Florida, Charles Lee left a baby, aged one, alone. He went into the front yard to smoke pot with a 15-year-old and the baby drowned in a backyard pool. It is not clear what Charles Lee’s relationship is to the parents, but they had entrusted him with the child at the time.
In Salt Lake City, a father smoked pot and fell asleep on the floor. He left out a loaded gun and his two year-old shot himself. Both these incidents reflect the irresponsibility, forgetfulness and selfishness that surround using pot. Unfortunately, the victims are so young.
Lakewood, CO — On Friday, May 4th at 2:00 pm, the Centennial Institute, Smart Colorado, and The Marijuana Accountability Coalition delivered a letter to Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock at Denver City Hall calling on the city to ban individuals under the age of 21 from attending marijuana rallies where they are exposed to hazardous secondhand smoke. Continue reading Denver Community Leaders Ask Mayor to Keep Kids Out of Pot Rallies→
Statistics and Toxicology Reports Reveal Marijuana – Suicide Link
The increasing number of youth suicides seems to be tied to two factors, bullying and marijuana. Although bullying may be a reason that youth turn to marijuana, in doesn’t resolve the underlying issues making them depressed or upset. The outcomes for trying to resolve such issues using marijuana are very poor, and in fact marijuana usually makes problems much worse.
Colorado has tracked suicides before and after legalization, and policy makers should be alarmed by the results.
The numbers show an increasing number of suicides by year and by age group. The youngest group (10 – 14 yo) have increased nearly 270% from 2005-08 to 2013-16. The next age group (15 – 19 years) increased by 133% over the same period. The 20-24 years group increased by 128% over the same time period. All of these jumps are very significant.
Total Number of CO Suicides by 4 Yr Blocks and Age
Total
10-14 yo
15-19 yo
20-24 yo
2005-2008 (4 yrs)
3108
23
169
273
2009-2012 (4 yrs)
3674
45
171
294
2013-2016 (4 yrs)
4265
62
225
350
2009 = Yr Med MJ Commercialization (legal sales) started
2013 = Yr Recreational MJ sales started
This Graph Demonstrates Clear Relationship Between Cannabis Legalization and Suicide Rates
Note in the below graph that suicide rates were falling in Colorado prior to medical marijuana legalization. Then they started to rise. They fell off slightly but then skyrocketed when Colorado voters decided to green light the recreational marijuana industry.
All Age Groups Suicide Rate Colorado
The percent of marijuana found in bodies of all suicide victims DOUBLED (from 8.1% prior to legal mj sale, 8.7% during the years of medical mj sales, TO 16% in recreational mj sales years) since recreational sales of marijuana started in 2013 from the preceding two time frames. THIS should be extremely concerning…. Yet legislators are plowing ahead ….
Increase in suicide for all ages seems tied to availability of the drug.
Toxicology on kids with completed suicide from Colorado 2004-2015 (no data for ’16, ’17).
Another theory as to why marijuana is prevalent is that marijuana can decrease the vomiting reflex. If a person ingests a lethal dose of chemicals that can kill them, the body will try to expel them by vomiting. If a person takes an anti-nausea substance, it may allow those chemicals to stay in their system, therefore allowing the chemicals to kill them.
Ten- to Nineteen-Year-Olds are the Most Vulnerable to Marijuana Related Suicide
State of Colorado, Suicide Toxicology, 10-19 year olds
Programs to prevent youth suicides need to also be concerned with preventing youth marijuana usage. Nine out of eleven teens who committed suicide in one Colorado community had marijuana in their system. It is pathetic. To learn how one teen used marijuana to deal with bullying and then committed suicide, please listen to the following You Tube.
Marijuana Cessation
If your child quits using marijuana, please be sure to give them counseling and support as much as possible. Since the heavy use of this drug can deplete 20% of your natural dopamine, it takes time for the brain to recover and regain the natural occurring chemicals.
There’s a risk for suicide after marijuana cessation. The greatest risk comes six months after beginning abstention, according to Dr. Drew Pinsky. In these cases toxicology won’t show the connection with the drug, and yet, it is well known by researchers that marijuana causes mood disorders like depression which in the most serious cases lead to suicide. Learn more about suicide risk and marijuana on the MomsStrong.org website. We previously wrote a three-part series on marijuana and suicide.
At least two more child abuse deaths related to marijuana use occurred in May. In Florida, 
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