you know pot legalization is often talked about as an idea whose time has
talked about as an idea whose time has
talked about as an idea whose time has come and I see a lot of nodding heads in
come and I see a lot of nodding heads in
come and I see a lot of nodding heads in the audience and that’s okay you know
the audience and that’s okay you know
the audience and that’s okay you know cash-strapped states are looking for
cash-strapped states are looking for
cash-strapped states are looking for revenue we’re trying to get rid of an
revenue we’re trying to get rid of an
revenue we’re trying to get rid of an underground drug economy and this might
underground drug economy and this might
underground drug economy and this might be a good way to do it and we’re looking
be a good way to do it and we’re looking
be a good way to do it and we’re looking for cures for serious diseases like
for cures for serious diseases like
for cures for serious diseases like cancer and intractable epilepsy
cancer and intractable epilepsy
cancer and intractable epilepsy sounds like could be a good idea most of
sounds like could be a good idea most of
sounds like could be a good idea most of all we hear the argument of social
all we hear the argument of social
all we hear the argument of social justice that our incarceration rates as
justice that our incarceration rates as
justice that our incarceration rates as high as they are in fact they are we
high as they are in fact they are we
high as they are in fact they are we have incarceration rates four times more
have incarceration rates four times more
have incarceration rates four times more than our historical average and about
than our historical average and about
than our historical average and about four to five times more than any country
four to five times more than any country
four to five times more than any country in Europe and it seems like this could
in Europe and it seems like this could
in Europe and it seems like this could be a good idea to bring us towards some
be a good idea to bring us towards some
be a good idea to bring us towards some equity but the reality is that this is a
equity but the reality is that this is a
equity but the reality is that this is a false dichotomy even though we have more
false dichotomy even though we have more
false dichotomy even though we have more blacks and Hispanics in prison than
blacks and Hispanics in prison than
blacks and Hispanics in prison than whites disproportionately represented am
whites disproportionately represented am
whites disproportionately represented am I gonna argue that this is really a lazy
I gonna argue that this is really a lazy
I gonna argue that this is really a lazy and dangerous way of thinking about both
and dangerous way of thinking about both
and dangerous way of thinking about both drug policy and criminal justice policy
drug policy and criminal justice policy
drug policy and criminal justice policy the idea that we only have two choices
the idea that we only have two choices
the idea that we only have two choices prohibition incarceration and a scary
prohibition incarceration and a scary
prohibition incarceration and a scary war on drugs on the one hand or
war on drugs on the one hand or
war on drugs on the one hand or legalization and commercialization on
legalization and commercialization on
legalization and commercialization on the other I think that’s a lazy and
the other I think that’s a lazy and
the other I think that’s a lazy and dangerous way to think about both drug
dangerous way to think about both drug
dangerous way to think about both drug policy and incarceration first of all if
policy and incarceration first of all if
policy and incarceration first of all if we really want to reduce incarceration
we really want to reduce incarceration
we really want to reduce incarceration we should not be looking at marijuana
we should not be looking at marijuana
we should not be looking at marijuana crimes or drug crimes that’s not really
crimes or drug crimes that’s not really
crimes or drug crimes that’s not really a reason why people are spending most
a reason why people are spending most
a reason why people are spending most days in prison if you look at the wave
days in prison if you look at the wave
days in prison if you look at the wave of the increase in incarceration over
of the increase in incarceration over
of the increase in incarceration over the last thirty years now
the last thirty years now
the last thirty years now don’t get me wrong I am not wanting to
don’t get me wrong I am not wanting to
don’t get me wrong I am not wanting to bring us back to the days of reefer
bring us back to the days of reefer
bring us back to the days of reefer madness I’m not saying that if you use
madness I’m not saying that if you use
madness I’m not saying that if you use marijuana today you are somehow gonna
marijuana today you are somehow gonna
marijuana today you are somehow gonna become a drug-crazed aam be tomorrow and
become a drug-crazed aam be tomorrow and
become a drug-crazed aam be tomorrow and you’re gonna use heroin the next day and
you’re gonna use heroin the next day and
you’re gonna use heroin the next day and your life is going to be destroyed but
your life is going to be destroyed but
your life is going to be destroyed but what I am saying is that your common
what I am saying is that your common
what I am saying is that your common conception of marijuana as the joint
conception of marijuana as the joint
conception of marijuana as the joint that gets passed around at a party and
that gets passed around at a party and
that gets passed around at a party and it’s sort of this giggle and a thing
it’s sort of this giggle and a thing
it’s sort of this giggle and a thing that you do in college and move on that
that you do in college and move on that
that you do in college and move on that there is an industry out there that is
there is an industry out there that is
there is an industry out there that is betting that you think it’s no big deal
betting that you think it’s no big deal
betting that you think it’s no big deal they will profit off of you thinking
they will profit off of you thinking
they will profit off of you thinking that it’s no big deal and the reality of
that it’s no big deal and the reality of
that it’s no big deal and the reality of how we really should be thinking about
how we really should be thinking about
how we really should be thinking about marijuana legalization has far less to
marijuana legalization has far less to
marijuana legalization has far less to do with this or reefer madness and far
do with this or reefer madness and far
do with this or reefer madness and far more to do with this now
more to do with this now
more to do with this now most people in the room with by judging
most people in the room with by judging
most people in the room with by judging by your age you probably don’t even know
by your age you probably don’t even know
by your age you probably don’t even know who the Marlboro Man was but if you can
who the Marlboro Man was but if you can
who the Marlboro Man was but if you can believe it your parents generation I
believe it your parents generation I
believe it your parents generation I thought it was ok to not only have a
thought it was ok to not only have a
thought it was ok to not only have a Marlboro Man as a central part of
Marlboro Man as a central part of
Marlboro Man as a central part of American advertisement history but to
American advertisement history but to
American advertisement history but to have a cartoon Camel selling cigarettes
have a cartoon Camel selling cigarettes
have a cartoon Camel selling cigarettes to the American people they thought it
to the American people they thought it
to the American people they thought it was okay and you’re gonna probably be
was okay and you’re gonna probably be
was okay and you’re gonna probably be pretty surprised that we should be able
pretty surprised that we should be able
pretty surprised that we should be able to and be allowed to smoke 40,000 feet
to and be allowed to smoke 40,000 feet
to and be allowed to smoke 40,000 feet in the air in a small metal tube with
in the air in a small metal tube with
in the air in a small metal tube with wings that’s an airplane and be able to
wings that’s an airplane and be able to
wings that’s an airplane and be able to have a smoking section there and smoke
have a smoking section there and smoke
have a smoking section there and smoke in restaurants and smoke out in the open
in restaurants and smoke out in the open
in restaurants and smoke out in the open that that was accepted and it was
that that was accepted and it was
that that was accepted and it was accepted because we had a massive lobby
accepted because we had a massive lobby
accepted because we had a massive lobby of special interests who were not really
of special interests who were not really
of special interests who were not really interested in your civil rights or you
interested in your civil rights or you
interested in your civil rights or you know you’re sort of right to be able to
know you’re sort of right to be able to
know you’re sort of right to be able to smoke a cigarette but they were
smoke a cigarette but they were
smoke a cigarette but they were interested in getting rich and that’s
interested in getting rich and that’s
interested in getting rich and that’s happening all over again
happening all over again
happening all over again the tobacco industry hired doctors and
the tobacco industry hired doctors and
the tobacco industry hired doctors and scientists to sell their products they
scientists to sell their products they
scientists to sell their products they even called it medicine at one point
even called it medicine at one point
even called it medicine at one point this is one of my favorites
this is one of my favorites
this is one of my favorites dr. baddies asthma cigarettes cuz you
dr. baddies asthma cigarettes cuz you
dr. baddies asthma cigarettes cuz you know it’s a really a great thing to
know it’s a really a great thing to
know it’s a really a great thing to smoke if you have asthma but you know we
smoke if you have asthma but you know we
smoke if you have asthma but you know we should give them some credit because if
should give them some credit because if
should give them some credit because if you can read the fine print at the
you can read the fine print at the
you can read the fine print at the bottom it says not recommended for
bottom it says not recommended for
bottom it says not recommended for children under six so they had somewhat
children under six so they had somewhat
children under six so they had somewhat of a conscience thank God but this was
of a conscience thank God but this was
of a conscience thank God but this was considered acceptable not that long ago
considered acceptable not that long ago
considered acceptable not that long ago and what I’m arguing is that the
and what I’m arguing is that the
and what I’m arguing is that the marijuana industry is taking their pages
marijuana industry is taking their pages
marijuana industry is taking their pages right out of that playbook and that the
right out of that playbook and that the
right out of that playbook and that the movement to legalize pot has a lot less
movement to legalize pot has a lot less
movement to legalize pot has a lot less to do with the old hippies at Berkeley
to do with the old hippies at Berkeley
to do with the old hippies at Berkeley and I could talk about Berkeley by the
and I could talk about Berkeley by the
and I could talk about Berkeley by the way cuz I went there and a little side
way cuz I went there and a little side
way cuz I went there and a little side note I was part of a group called
note I was part of a group called
note I was part of a group called citizens for a drug-free Berkeley I know
citizens for a drug-free Berkeley I know
citizens for a drug-free Berkeley I know what you’re thinking it was about as
what you’re thinking it was about as
what you’re thinking it was about as popular as the coalition for a wine free
popular as the coalition for a wine free
popular as the coalition for a wine free France but the reality is it’s not about
France but the reality is it’s not about
France but the reality is it’s not about the hippies it’s really about the Wall
the hippies it’s really about the Wall
the hippies it’s really about the Wall Street boardrooms it’s about Silicon
Street boardrooms it’s about Silicon
Street boardrooms it’s about Silicon Valley it’s about guys that look much
Valley it’s about guys that look much
Valley it’s about guys that look much more like me than they did and you than
more like me than they did and you than
more like me than they did and you than they do the hippies at Berkeley looking
they do the hippies at Berkeley looking
they do the hippies at Berkeley looking to get rich and that is where this
to get rich and that is where this
to get rich and that is where this entire movement
entire movement
entire movement has brought us you know the reason
has brought us you know the reason
has brought us you know the reason believe it or not we had candy
believe it or not we had candy
believe it or not we had candy cigarettes for so long and we had
cigarettes for so long and we had
cigarettes for so long and we had advertising if you look at the candy
advertising if you look at the candy
advertising if you look at the candy wrappers here closely you see that
wrappers here closely you see that
wrappers here closely you see that actually the box to advertise the candy
actually the box to advertise the candy
actually the box to advertise the candy cigarettes actually have the real
cigarettes actually have the real
cigarettes actually have the real cigarettes in front of them even though
cigarettes in front of them even though
cigarettes in front of them even though inside the box is the chewing gum this
inside the box is the chewing gum this
inside the box is the chewing gum this wasn’t like aimed at the Marlboro Man
wasn’t like aimed at the Marlboro Man
wasn’t like aimed at the Marlboro Man who needed to take some chewing gum
who needed to take some chewing gum
who needed to take some chewing gum breaks this wasn’t aimed at adults who
breaks this wasn’t aimed at adults who
breaks this wasn’t aimed at adults who you know might want to take a break this
you know might want to take a break this
you know might want to take a break this is obviously aimed at kids because the
is obviously aimed at kids because the
is obviously aimed at kids because the industry knows that it needs heavy users
industry knows that it needs heavy users
industry knows that it needs heavy users in order to make money and heavy users
in order to make money and heavy users
in order to make money and heavy users only make money if they start if you
only make money if they start if you
only make money if they start if you start when they’re when they’re young
start when they’re when they’re young
start when they’re when they’re young the industry only makes money if they
the industry only makes money if they
the industry only makes money if they aim at young people and the alcohol
aim at young people and the alcohol
aim at young people and the alcohol industry isn’t very different you know
industry isn’t very different you know
industry isn’t very different you know in this country about ten percent of us
in this country about ten percent of us
in this country about ten percent of us consume 75 percent of the entire volume
consume 75 percent of the entire volume
consume 75 percent of the entire volume of alcohol and it’s concentrated among
of alcohol and it’s concentrated among
of alcohol and it’s concentrated among heavy users so what does that mean that
heavy users so what does that mean that
heavy users so what does that mean that means that if you drink a glass of wine
means that if you drink a glass of wine
means that if you drink a glass of wine with dinner every night you are not
with dinner every night you are not
with dinner every night you are not really an important person to the
really an important person to the
really an important person to the alcohol industry you’re not part of
alcohol industry you’re not part of
alcohol industry you’re not part of their profits you’re not part of their
their profits you’re not part of their
their profits you’re not part of their bottom line they actually rely on
bottom line they actually rely on
bottom line they actually rely on alcoholics for their profits and this is
alcoholics for their profits and this is
alcoholics for their profits and this is very similar with the marijuana market
very similar with the marijuana market
very similar with the marijuana market you know in the recent about decade or
you know in the recent about decade or
you know in the recent about decade or so as we’ve had the opioid epidemic that
so as we’ve had the opioid epidemic that
so as we’ve had the opioid epidemic that it’s taken more lives every year than
it’s taken more lives every year than
it’s taken more lives every year than even car crashes or gunshot wounds
even car crashes or gunshot wounds
even car crashes or gunshot wounds what’s interesting about that is during
what’s interesting about that is during
what’s interesting about that is during the rise of opioids in last ten years
the rise of opioids in last ten years
the rise of opioids in last ten years we’ve had an eighty percent rise in the
we’ve had an eighty percent rise in the
we’ve had an eighty percent rise in the volume of marijuana smoked now that our
volume of marijuana smoked now that our
volume of marijuana smoked now that our use I should say now that doesn’t mean
use I should say now that doesn’t mean
use I should say now that doesn’t mean an 80 percent number of people increase
an 80 percent number of people increase
an 80 percent number of people increase it means that the small number of people
it means that the small number of people
it means that the small number of people who use and it’s still a minority of
who use and it’s still a minority of
who use and it’s still a minority of people are consuming a lot more than
people are consuming a lot more than
people are consuming a lot more than they used to and now 30% of all
they used to and now 30% of all
they used to and now 30% of all marijuana users consume over eighty-five
marijuana users consume over eighty-five
marijuana users consume over eighty-five percent of the product that means those
percent of the product that means those
percent of the product that means those heavy users are what’s important to this
heavy users are what’s important to this
heavy users are what’s important to this industry so it’s not about like you know
industry so it’s not about like you know
industry so it’s not about like you know oh when you’re an adult you know adults
oh when you’re an adult you know adults
oh when you’re an adult you know adults should be able to smoke a joint once a
should be able to smoke a joint once a
should be able to smoke a joint once a month in their basement and sort of fall
month in their basement and sort of fall
month in their basement and sort of fall asleep whatever and I really could care
asleep whatever and I really could care
asleep whatever and I really could care less about that that’s not what this is
less about that that’s not what this is
less about that that’s not what this is about and the industry could care less
about and the industry could care less
about and the industry could care less about that because they don’t make money
about that because they don’t make money
about that because they don’t make money off those folks they make money off of
off those folks they make money off of
off those folks they make money off of really targeting this the developing
really targeting this the developing
really targeting this the developing brain you know your brain is under
brain you know your brain is under
brain you know your brain is under constant development until about age 30
constant development until about age 30
constant development until about age 30 and
and
and what happens is that you’re essentially
what happens is that you’re essentially
what happens is that you’re essentially under construction for the first 30
under construction for the first 30
under construction for the first 30 years of your life and that means that’s
years of your life and that means that’s
years of your life and that means that’s a really exciting thing actually it
a really exciting thing actually it
a really exciting thing actually it means you pick up things like you know
means you pick up things like you know
means you pick up things like you know speaking of learning a new language
speaking of learning a new language
speaking of learning a new language swimming riding a bike a lot easier than
swimming riding a bike a lot easier than
swimming riding a bike a lot easier than if you started those things later I mean
if you started those things later I mean
if you started those things later I mean have you seen a four year old learn try
have you seen a four year old learn try
have you seen a four year old learn try to learn to swim versus a 44 year old
to learn to swim versus a 44 year old
to learn to swim versus a 44 year old for the first time when you’re younger
for the first time when you’re younger
for the first time when you’re younger you pick these things up and it’s
you pick these things up and it’s
you pick these things up and it’s exciting your brain is a sponge
exciting your brain is a sponge
exciting your brain is a sponge essentially the flip side of that is you
essentially the flip side of that is you
essentially the flip side of that is you also pick up bad habits a lot easier
also pick up bad habits a lot easier
also pick up bad habits a lot easier when you’re young and those things can
when you’re young and those things can
when you’re young and those things can turn into lifelong problems and actually
turn into lifelong problems and actually
turn into lifelong problems and actually if you don’t touch drugs until age 21 or
if you don’t touch drugs until age 21 or
if you don’t touch drugs until age 21 or 25 you were unlikely ever to have a drug
25 you were unlikely ever to have a drug
25 you were unlikely ever to have a drug problem in your life the issue with the
problem in your life the issue with the
problem in your life the issue with the adolescent brain is that there are parts
adolescent brain is that there are parts
adolescent brain is that there are parts of your brain forming judgment it comes
of your brain forming judgment it comes
of your brain forming judgment it comes last not a surprise that’s why we all
last not a surprise that’s why we all
last not a surprise that’s why we all did really dumb things with teenagers
did really dumb things with teenagers
did really dumb things with teenagers you can tell your parents there’s a
you can tell your parents there’s a
you can tell your parents there’s a biological reason for that they
biological reason for that they
biological reason for that they shouldn’t really blame you they should
shouldn’t really blame you they should
shouldn’t really blame you they should blame your brain but the reality is that
blame your brain but the reality is that
blame your brain but the reality is that the industry knows this and they have to
the industry knows this and they have to
the industry knows this and they have to target this brain while it’s developing
target this brain while it’s developing
target this brain while it’s developing you know that’s why the most sold
you know that’s why the most sold
you know that’s why the most sold products right now in legal markets are
products right now in legal markets are
products right now in legal markets are not joints that sort of look boring and
not joints that sort of look boring and
not joints that sort of look boring and plain and frankly smoking is gone so out
plain and frankly smoking is gone so out
plain and frankly smoking is gone so out of fashion among young people that you
of fashion among young people that you
of fashion among young people that you wouldn’t really want to market a joint
wouldn’t really want to market a joint
wouldn’t really want to market a joint anymore but you would want to market
anymore but you would want to market
anymore but you would want to market gummies candy sodas lollipops even the
gummies candy sodas lollipops even the
gummies candy sodas lollipops even the sacred pop-tart if you can believe it
sacred pop-tart if you can believe it
sacred pop-tart if you can believe it has been usurped by this industry
has been usurped by this industry
has been usurped by this industry because this is really about targeting
because this is really about targeting
because this is really about targeting young people targeting the adolescent
young people targeting the adolescent
young people targeting the adolescent brain the you know we had legalization
brain the you know we had legalization
brain the you know we had legalization already happened like I said in several
already happened like I said in several
already happened like I said in several states and you know you can ask me in 25
states and you know you can ask me in 25
states and you know you can ask me in 25 years what the final judgment is we’re
years what the final judgment is we’re
years what the final judgment is we’re not going to learn that for awhile and
not going to learn that for awhile and
not going to learn that for awhile and I’m not here to say that the sky has
I’m not here to say that the sky has
I’m not here to say that the sky has fallen in Colorado or Washington it’s
fallen in Colorado or Washington it’s
fallen in Colorado or Washington it’s those are great states to live in but
those are great states to live in but
those are great states to live in but there’s some early indications some
there’s some early indications some
there’s some early indications some early data that does worry me first and
early data that does worry me first and
early data that does worry me first and I think most insidious is that the
I think most insidious is that the
I think most insidious is that the marijuana industry is taking a very dark
marijuana industry is taking a very dark
marijuana industry is taking a very dark page out of the PlayBook of the alcohol
page out of the PlayBook of the alcohol
page out of the PlayBook of the alcohol industry and what do I mean by that I
industry and what do I mean by that I
industry and what do I mean by that I mean that there are far more pot shops
mean that there are far more pot shops
mean that there are far more pot shops in poorer communities of color in Denver
in poorer communities of color in Denver
in poorer communities of color in Denver when we looked at the census of orange
when we looked at the census of orange
when we looked at the census of orange and purple on the bottom right is where
and purple on the bottom right is where
and purple on the bottom right is where we have a Hispanic african-american
we have a Hispanic african-american
we have a Hispanic african-american population and you look
population and you look
population and you look the dots of where the marijuana stores
the dots of where the marijuana stores
the dots of where the marijuana stores actually are they are absolutely
actually are they are absolutely
actually are they are absolutely concentrated in those poorer areas now
concentrated in those poorer areas now
concentrated in those poorer areas now that shouldn’t come as a surprise for
that shouldn’t come as a surprise for
that shouldn’t come as a surprise for those that know where liquor stores are
those that know where liquor stores are
those that know where liquor stores are I mean we don’t exactly have a bunch of
I mean we don’t exactly have a bunch of
I mean we don’t exactly have a bunch of clustered liquor stores on Nassau Street
clustered liquor stores on Nassau Street
clustered liquor stores on Nassau Street here in beautiful Princeton or in
here in beautiful Princeton or in
here in beautiful Princeton or in Morristown but you do have them
Morristown but you do have them
Morristown but you do have them clustered in parts of the state like
clustered in parts of the state like
clustered in parts of the state like Newark and Camden where you have more
Newark and Camden where you have more
Newark and Camden where you have more liquor stores than you can count and yet
liquor stores than you can count and yet
liquor stores than you can count and yet you can’t get a fresh piece of fruit
you can’t get a fresh piece of fruit
you can’t get a fresh piece of fruit anywhere because there’s no grocery
anywhere because there’s no grocery
anywhere because there’s no grocery store that’s a part of our structural
store that’s a part of our structural
store that’s a part of our structural inequality that we have and that’s
inequality that we have and that’s
inequality that we have and that’s because the alcohol industry knows that
because the alcohol industry knows that
because the alcohol industry knows that addiction is not just genetic it’s also
addiction is not just genetic it’s also
addiction is not just genetic it’s also your environment so if you have fewer
your environment so if you have fewer
your environment so if you have fewer things to catch you when things go wrong
things to catch you when things go wrong
things to catch you when things go wrong you have less access to health care
you have less access to health care
you have less access to health care housing education economic job
housing education economic job
housing education economic job opportunities you’re more likely to
opportunities you’re more likely to
opportunities you’re more likely to slide into addiction and sliding into
slide into addiction and sliding into
slide into addiction and sliding into addiction is exactly what any addictive
addiction is exactly what any addictive
addiction is exactly what any addictive industry wants now you might be thinking
industry wants now you might be thinking
industry wants now you might be thinking but Kevin marijuana is not addictive so
but Kevin marijuana is not addictive so
but Kevin marijuana is not addictive so what are you talking about it I did have
what are you talking about it I did have
what are you talking about it I did have somebody recently at a school say he
somebody recently at a school say he
somebody recently at a school say he said to me dr. Sabet I know that
said to me dr. Sabet I know that
said to me dr. Sabet I know that marijuana is not addictive and I said
marijuana is not addictive and I said
marijuana is not addictive and I said really how do you know he was 15 I said
really how do you know he was 15 I said
really how do you know he was 15 I said how do you know that he said I know it’s
how do you know that he said I know it’s
how do you know that he said I know it’s not addictive because I use marijuana
not addictive because I use marijuana
not addictive because I use marijuana every single day was interesting I was
every single day was interesting I was
every single day was interesting I was wishing that he was going to refer to
wishing that he was going to refer to
wishing that he was going to refer to some peer-reviewed journal but you know
some peer-reviewed journal but you know
some peer-reviewed journal but you know as a PhD that there’s no PR and PhD
as a PhD that there’s no PR and PhD
as a PhD that there’s no PR and PhD unfortunately and we do a really good
unfortunately and we do a really good
unfortunately and we do a really good job and this is my fellow PhDs in the
job and this is my fellow PhDs in the
job and this is my fellow PhDs in the room we do a great job at writing
room we do a great job at writing
room we do a great job at writing articles that like 34 people in the
articles that like 34 people in the
articles that like 34 people in the world will read and we get very excited
world will read and we get very excited
world will read and we get very excited about that we don’t learn to write for
about that we don’t learn to write for
about that we don’t learn to write for 300 million people and I think if we
300 million people and I think if we
300 million people and I think if we weren’t laughing we’d be crying because
weren’t laughing we’d be crying because
weren’t laughing we’d be crying because when you think about the implications
when you think about the implications
when you think about the implications for that for public policy that’s a
for that for public policy that’s a
for that for public policy that’s a problem
problem
problem and most people might be surprised when
and most people might be surprised when
and most people might be surprised when they hear that every single national of
they hear that every single national of
they hear that every single national of just about every single national major
just about every single national major
just about every single national major medical group has come out against the
medical group has come out against the
medical group has come out against the commercialization of marijuana is trying
commercialization of marijuana is trying
commercialization of marijuana is trying to discourage people to use heavily they
to discourage people to use heavily they
to discourage people to use heavily they don’t want people in prison any more
don’t want people in prison any more
don’t want people in prison any more than I do for smoking a joint and I do
than I do for smoking a joint and I do
than I do for smoking a joint and I do think we need to remedy as policies we
think we need to remedy as policies we
think we need to remedy as policies we don’t want to give someone an arrest
don’t want to give someone an arrest
don’t want to give someone an arrest record for a joint that’s going to
record for a joint that’s going to
record for a joint that’s going to destroy the
destroy the
destroy the whole life but again our choices in
whole life but again our choices in
whole life but again our choices in between giving someone an arrest record
between giving someone an arrest record
between giving someone an arrest record for a joint and legalizing pot tarts in
for a joint and legalizing pot tarts in
for a joint and legalizing pot tarts in commercializing pot tarts we can do a
commercializing pot tarts we can do a
commercializing pot tarts we can do a lot better and so you might be surprised
lot better and so you might be surprised
lot better and so you might be surprised to hear that for example Lancet
to hear that for example Lancet
to hear that for example Lancet Psychiatry one of the most prominent
Psychiatry one of the most prominent
Psychiatry one of the most prominent journals in the world for psychiatric
journals in the world for psychiatric
journals in the world for psychiatric issues you know found and this has been
issues you know found and this has been
issues you know found and this has been found over and over again this is just
found over and over again this is just
found over and over again this is just one of thousands of studies that have
one of thousands of studies that have
one of thousands of studies that have been out that regular marijuana use
been out that regular marijuana use
been out that regular marijuana use increases your risk of suicide Sevenfold
increases your risk of suicide Sevenfold
increases your risk of suicide Sevenfold increases your risk of schizophrenia and
increases your risk of schizophrenia and
increases your risk of schizophrenia and psychosis for full and that today’s high
psychosis for full and that today’s high
psychosis for full and that today’s high potent THC which is really what we’re
potent THC which is really what we’re
potent THC which is really what we’re talking about we’re talking about
talking about we’re talking about
talking about we’re talking about modified THC you know the just so you
modified THC you know the just so you
modified THC you know the just so you know you know tobacco was only deadly in
know you know tobacco was only deadly in
know you know tobacco was only deadly in the last century we’ve been smoking
the last century we’ve been smoking
the last century we’ve been smoking tobacco for thousands of years in our
tobacco for thousands of years in our
tobacco for thousands of years in our culture it was only deadly in the 20th
culture it was only deadly in the 20th
culture it was only deadly in the 20th century and the 21st century why is that
century and the 21st century why is that
century and the 21st century why is that first of all the invention of the modern
first of all the invention of the modern
first of all the invention of the modern cigarette was an invention of the figure
cigarette was an invention of the figure
cigarette was an invention of the figure of the tobacco industry an easy way to
of the tobacco industry an easy way to
of the tobacco industry an easy way to inhale but much more dangerous way but
inhale but much more dangerous way but
inhale but much more dangerous way but we also learned to blend American and
we also learned to blend American and
we also learned to blend American and Indian tobacco in a way that had not
Indian tobacco in a way that had not
Indian tobacco in a way that had not been done before and so if you count the
been done before and so if you count the
been done before and so if you count the deaths for tobacco prior to the tobacco
deaths for tobacco prior to the tobacco
deaths for tobacco prior to the tobacco industry you could count them on your
industry you could count them on your
industry you could count them on your basically toes and fingers you now it’s
basically toes and fingers you now it’s
basically toes and fingers you now it’s five hundred thousand deaths a year so
five hundred thousand deaths a year so
five hundred thousand deaths a year so we’ve been able to modify
we’ve been able to modify
we’ve been able to modify today’s marijuana to get the more THC
today’s marijuana to get the more THC
today’s marijuana to get the more THC and it’s becoming more and more deadly
and it’s becoming more and more deadly
and it’s becoming more and more deadly and that is why medical associations and
and that is why medical associations and
and that is why medical associations and journals have been coming out and saying
journals have been coming out and saying
journals have been coming out and saying that we really need to slow this down
that we really need to slow this down
that we really need to slow this down because there’s an industry that has
because there’s an industry that has
because there’s an industry that has taken hold that wants to sell you a more
taken hold that wants to sell you a more
taken hold that wants to sell you a more addictive product and by the way in
addictive product and by the way in
addictive product and by the way in Colorado Colorado is now the number one
Colorado Colorado is now the number one
Colorado Colorado is now the number one Youth marijuana use state in the country
Youth marijuana use state in the country
Youth marijuana use state in the country when you look at Washington state
when you look at Washington state
when you look at Washington state triple-a the traffic safety foundation
triple-a the traffic safety foundation
triple-a the traffic safety foundation the you know the guys you trust them
the you know the guys you trust them
the you know the guys you trust them enough to call you know call them to tow
enough to call you know call them to tow
enough to call you know call them to tow your car so they do good studies to they
your car so they do good studies to they
your car so they do good studies to they found that three car crashes among
found that three car crashes among
found that three car crashes among recent marijuana users fatal car crashes
recent marijuana users fatal car crashes
recent marijuana users fatal car crashes among recent users doubled in Washington
among recent users doubled in Washington
among recent users doubled in Washington state after legalization and by the way
state after legalization and by the way
state after legalization and by the way again talk about misconceptions I heard
again talk about misconceptions I heard
again talk about misconceptions I heard the other day someone tell me Kevin I
the other day someone tell me Kevin I
the other day someone tell me Kevin I Drive better when I’m stoned
Drive better when I’m stoned
Drive better when I’m stoned and I said really why is that he said
and I said really why is that he said
and I said really why is that he said because I go thirty miles an hour in a
because I go thirty miles an hour in a
because I go thirty miles an hour in a 65 mile per hour zone so isn’t that
65 mile per hour zone so isn’t that
65 mile per hour zone so isn’t that better
better
better the misconceptions that are out there
the misconceptions that are out there
the misconceptions that are out there are incredible and again we have not
are incredible and again we have not
are incredible and again we have not done a good job of scientist in in
done a good job of scientist in in
done a good job of scientist in in publicizing those and the industry is
publicizing those and the industry is
publicizing those and the industry is that a great job in manipulating search
that a great job in manipulating search
that a great job in manipulating search results so if you type it’s marijuana
results so if you type it’s marijuana
results so if you type it’s marijuana addictive you get the results the
addictive you get the results the
addictive you get the results the industry wants you to see basically a
industry wants you to see basically a
industry wants you to see basically a confused gobbledygook of pros and cons
confused gobbledygook of pros and cons
confused gobbledygook of pros and cons studies and all kinds of things that you
studies and all kinds of things that you
studies and all kinds of things that you leave confused and frustrated this is a
leave confused and frustrated this is a
leave confused and frustrated this is a deliberate part of an industry that and
deliberate part of an industry that and
deliberate part of an industry that and I’m looking at the audience and the
I’m looking at the audience and the
I’m looking at the audience and the average age here that sees your brains
average age here that sees your brains
average age here that sees your brains as dollar signs that that’s what this is
as dollar signs that that’s what this is
as dollar signs that that’s what this is about
about
about now you know don’t get me wrong I am NOT
now you know don’t get me wrong I am NOT
now you know don’t get me wrong I am NOT saying that we should be locking people
saying that we should be locking people
saying that we should be locking people up in prison for marijuana marijuana is
up in prison for marijuana marijuana is
up in prison for marijuana marijuana is a very complex plant the cannabis plant
a very complex plant the cannabis plant
a very complex plant the cannabis plant it has hundreds of components to it we
it has hundreds of components to it we
it has hundreds of components to it we know a little bit about two of those
know a little bit about two of those
know a little bit about two of those components we need to absolutely don’t
components we need to absolutely don’t
components we need to absolutely don’t do more research there’s likely medical
do more research there’s likely medical
do more research there’s likely medical value in some of these components I’m
value in some of these components I’m
value in some of these components I’m not denying that at all
not denying that at all
not denying that at all they should be delivered in a non smoked
they should be delivered in a non smoked
they should be delivered in a non smoked way I know it’s a radical idea that you
way I know it’s a radical idea that you
way I know it’s a radical idea that you shouldn’t smoke medicine but you know
shouldn’t smoke medicine but you know
shouldn’t smoke medicine but you know smoking anything by smoking lettuce is
smoking anything by smoking lettuce is
smoking anything by smoking lettuce is bad for you by the way you shouldn’t do
bad for you by the way you shouldn’t do
bad for you by the way you shouldn’t do it
it
it smoking inhaling anything is bad for you
smoking inhaling anything is bad for you
smoking inhaling anything is bad for you so we should look at non smoke
so we should look at non smoke
so we should look at non smoke components getting them into another
components getting them into another
components getting them into another radical idea into the hands of
radical idea into the hands of
radical idea into the hands of pharmacists and doctors rather than you
pharmacists and doctors rather than you
pharmacists and doctors rather than you know folks have a lot of experience with
know folks have a lot of experience with
know folks have a lot of experience with marijuana selling you medicine we need
marijuana selling you medicine we need
marijuana selling you medicine we need to have people that had scientific
to have people that had scientific
to have people that had scientific experience because there’s likely
experience because there’s likely
experience because there’s likely promise and all kinds of things treating
promise and all kinds of things treating
promise and all kinds of things treating you know obesity – uncontrollable
you know obesity – uncontrollable
you know obesity – uncontrollable seizures – nausea related to cancer
seizures – nausea related to cancer
seizures – nausea related to cancer these things are important to research
these things are important to research
these things are important to research we should absolutely do that and we
we should absolutely do that and we
we should absolutely do that and we should lower the barriers that have been
should lower the barriers that have been
should lower the barriers that have been placed to do that research we should
placed to do that research we should
placed to do that research we should also not arrest people who’s for simple
also not arrest people who’s for simple
also not arrest people who’s for simple possession of marijuana if some if a
possession of marijuana if some if a
possession of marijuana if some if a kid’s getting arrested ten times a year
kid’s getting arrested ten times a year
kid’s getting arrested ten times a year and getting cited writing them a ticket
and getting cited writing them a ticket
and getting cited writing them a ticket making them a show up in court
making them a show up in court
making them a show up in court to scare them it’s probably not as
to scare them it’s probably not as
to scare them it’s probably not as effective as seeing if they actually
effective as seeing if they actually
effective as seeing if they actually have a problem and treating that problem
have a problem and treating that problem
have a problem and treating that problem early before it gets to be something
early before it gets to be something
early before it gets to be something worse now I’m not trumpeting the Gateway
worse now I’m not trumpeting the Gateway
worse now I’m not trumpeting the Gateway Theory here but it’s this is this is a
Theory here but it’s this is this is a
Theory here but it’s this is this is a statistic you should know the vast
statistic you should know the vast
statistic you should know the vast majority of those who have died the
majority of those who have died the
majority of those who have died the 60,000 people who died last year of an
60,000 people who died last year of an
60,000 people who died last year of an opiate overdose the vast majority first
opiate overdose the vast majority first
opiate overdose the vast majority first used marijuana and alcohol now that
used marijuana and alcohol now that
used marijuana and alcohol now that doesn’t mean that the majority of
doesn’t mean that the majority of
doesn’t mean that the majority of marijuana users go
marijuana users go
marijuana users go to use heroin I’m not saying that at all
to use heroin I’m not saying that at all
to use heroin I’m not saying that at all but the reverse the vast majority of
but the reverse the vast majority of
but the reverse the vast majority of them did use marijuana first it’s
them did use marijuana first it’s
them did use marijuana first it’s something we need to research more we
something we need to research more we
something we need to research more we should absolutely do more investment
should absolutely do more investment
should absolutely do more investment have more investment in prevention and
have more investment in prevention and
have more investment in prevention and early intervention in treatment but you
early intervention in treatment but you
early intervention in treatment but you know the idea that we’re somehow gonna
know the idea that we’re somehow gonna
know the idea that we’re somehow gonna get some tax revenue and pay for
get some tax revenue and pay for
get some tax revenue and pay for treatment and prevention you know we
treatment and prevention you know we
treatment and prevention you know we have taxes right now for our legal drugs
have taxes right now for our legal drugs
have taxes right now for our legal drugs which we already have legalization by
which we already have legalization by
which we already have legalization by the way folks it’s called Alcohol
the way folks it’s called Alcohol
the way folks it’s called Alcohol Tobacco and prescription drugs how are
Tobacco and prescription drugs how are
Tobacco and prescription drugs how are we doing on those by the way really big
we doing on those by the way really big
we doing on those by the way really big success in preventing those things we
success in preventing those things we
success in preventing those things we have tax revenue from those things and
have tax revenue from those things and
have tax revenue from those things and yet we don’t have free treatment on
yet we don’t have free treatment on
yet we don’t have free treatment on demand for those with an alcohol problem
demand for those with an alcohol problem
demand for those with an alcohol problem I mean we should at least be able to do
I mean we should at least be able to do
I mean we should at least be able to do that if we can’t solve our education
that if we can’t solve our education
that if we can’t solve our education problem or our state budget problem with
problem or our state budget problem with
problem or our state budget problem with alcohol taxes why can’t we pay for
alcohol taxes why can’t we pay for
alcohol taxes why can’t we pay for treatment on demand well that’s because
treatment on demand well that’s because
treatment on demand well that’s because the costs of alcohol far outweigh the
the costs of alcohol far outweigh the
the costs of alcohol far outweigh the revenue the same thing is with tobacco
revenue the same thing is with tobacco
revenue the same thing is with tobacco we collect record taxes on tobacco today
we collect record taxes on tobacco today
we collect record taxes on tobacco today some of the most expensive cigarettes in
some of the most expensive cigarettes in
some of the most expensive cigarettes in the world are bought in this country and
the world are bought in this country and
the world are bought in this country and yet we can’t pay for tobacco treatment
yet we can’t pay for tobacco treatment
yet we can’t pay for tobacco treatment on demand so the idea that we can
on demand so the idea that we can
on demand so the idea that we can somehow pay for any problems that might
somehow pay for any problems that might
somehow pay for any problems that might come as a result of more people using
come as a result of more people using
come as a result of more people using under a commercial legalized model does
under a commercial legalized model does
under a commercial legalized model does not hold up when we look at our legal
not hold up when we look at our legal
not hold up when we look at our legal drugs it doesn’t hold up at all so we
drugs it doesn’t hold up at all so we
drugs it doesn’t hold up at all so we should absolutely do research I’m not
should absolutely do research I’m not
should absolutely do research I’m not saying we should demonize the plant but
saying we should demonize the plant but
saying we should demonize the plant but we need to get real because right now
we need to get real because right now
we need to get real because right now there is a massive industry a special
there is a massive industry a special
there is a massive industry a special interest lobbyists that see this as
interest lobbyists that see this as
interest lobbyists that see this as their next way of getting rich and
their next way of getting rich and
their next way of getting rich and making money and we should not fall into
making money and we should not fall into
making money and we should not fall into this really lazy dangerous false
this really lazy dangerous false
this really lazy dangerous false dichotomy that our only two choices are
dichotomy that our only two choices are
dichotomy that our only two choices are legalization and promotion I mean the
legalization and promotion I mean the
legalization and promotion I mean the only way we know how to legalize and
only way we know how to legalize and
only way we know how to legalize and regulate an addictive product in this
regulate an addictive product in this
regulate an addictive product in this country is to promote it that’s our
country is to promote it that’s our
country is to promote it that’s our history so don’t tell me we can do it
history so don’t tell me we can do it
history so don’t tell me we can do it better
better
better with marijuana we’ve never proven that
with marijuana we’ve never proven that
with marijuana we’ve never proven that before so our only choice isn’t that
before so our only choice isn’t that
before so our only choice isn’t that model or a prohibition lock everyone up
model or a prohibition lock everyone up
model or a prohibition lock everyone up model instead you know we were deceived
model instead you know we were deceived
model instead you know we were deceived and lied to by the tobacco industry for
and lied to by the tobacco industry for
and lied to by the tobacco industry for 80 years who told us tobacco was not
80 years who told us tobacco was not
80 years who told us tobacco was not addictive that they would never alter it
addictive that they would never alter it
addictive that they would never alter it to be make it more addictive that they
to be make it more addictive that they
to be make it more addictive that they only created their product for adults
only created their product for adults
only created their product for adults and that they were all in favor of
and that they were all in favor of
and that they were all in favor of medical research we were duped by that
medical research we were duped by that
medical research we were duped by that industry for nine decades our choice is
industry for nine decades our choice is
industry for nine decades our choice is now in front of us we can either fall
now in front of us we can either fall
now in front of us we can either fall under that trap again and go down that
under that trap again and go down that
under that trap again and go down that path and then later say you know the
path and then later say you know the
path and then later say you know the next generation say wait a minute pot
next generation say wait a minute pot
next generation say wait a minute pot gummies and candies what were they
gummies and candies what were they
gummies and candies what were they thinking you know just like now we’re
thinking you know just like now we’re
thinking you know just like now we’re saying Joe Camel what were they thinking
saying Joe Camel what were they thinking
saying Joe Camel what were they thinking or we can slow this train down have a
or we can slow this train down have a
or we can slow this train down have a real conversation about the pros and
real conversation about the pros and
real conversation about the pros and cons of criminal justice and drug policy
cons of criminal justice and drug policy
cons of criminal justice and drug policy come up with a rational approach that I
come up with a rational approach that I
come up with a rational approach that I think would embrace prevention early
think would embrace prevention early
think would embrace prevention early intervention not demonizing users and
intervention not demonizing users and
intervention not demonizing users and treatment look at the marijuana plant
treatment look at the marijuana plant
treatment look at the marijuana plant also for potential medical promise in
also for potential medical promise in
also for potential medical promise in the same way we’ve looked at opium for
the same way we’ve looked at opium for
the same way we’ve looked at opium for potential medical promise but treat this
potential medical promise but treat this
potential medical promise but treat this like it is and understand the dangers of
like it is and understand the dangers of
like it is and understand the dangers of today’s high THC potent marijuana I hope
today’s high THC potent marijuana I hope
today’s high THC potent marijuana I hope we should choose the latter
we should choose the latter
we should choose the latter because if we fall into this false
because if we fall into this false
because if we fall into this false dichotomy we’re gonna be saying in a
dichotomy we’re gonna be saying in a
dichotomy we’re gonna be saying in a hundred years they’re gonna be saying
hundred years they’re gonna be saying
hundred years they’re gonna be saying what were they thinking thank you so
what were they thinking thank you so
what were they thinking thank you so much
”
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