Marijuana

California’s Proposition 215 and later legislation has increased confusion, particularly among youth, about the risks and harm associated with marijuana usage. Marijuana is the second-most frequently abused drug among young people, after alcohol. In 2006, 36% of East County 11th grade and 20% of 9th grade students reported having used marijuana at least once. 17% of 11th grade and 9% of 9th grade students reported having used marijuana within the last 30 days. Harmful health effects arise from marijuana use and include problems with short-term memory, reduced academic achievement and drugged driving.

Under guidelines issued by the Attorney General of the State of California, retail storefronts and the sale of marijuana continue to be illegal. Although local law enforcement and elected officials work to minimize the harmful impact of these businesses on our communities, retail stores claiming to be in compliance with State law have been opening in communities throughout California. The California Police Chief’s Association report on such businesses indicates that most are criminal enterprises in violation of state and local laws. For more information see the California Police Chiefs Association White Paper or Dispensary Summit Presentation.

Impacts on the environment
Marijuana cultivation is resulting in significant environmental damages and is increasingly a problem in our national forests, state parks and other public lands. Marijuana plantations of up to 50,000 plants have been found adjacent to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in the Cleveland National Forest. In 2006, the San Diego County’s Cleveland National Forest was 3rd in the country for the largest amount of marijuana plants seized on public lands in the country.

Marijuana plantations in our parks leave behind environmental damage in the form of human waste, trash, stripped land and chemical fertilizers – ultimately destroying the ecosystem. In addition, plantations are hazardous to users of public lands including hikers, hunters, and campers as growers seek to protect their crops. In San Diego County, these “grows” are often staffed by undocumented workers from Mexico trafficked into the U.S. by organized crime, sometimes under duress or threat to their families back in Mexico.

Marijuana is also grown in urban areas in residential houses. These “grow houses” have become a hazard to their neighbors in many communities throughout California. Residential fires arising from the amount of heat and electricity used to grow plants indoors, theft of electricity from neighbors and utilities, violence, and large numbers of weapons associated with these houses have been reported.

The East County Marijuana Task Force, convened by Communities Against Substance Abuse and involving law enforcement representatives from all local jurisdictions, is seeking to reduce the problems arising from marijuana in our communities. For more information, contact Dana Stevens.

Drug Paraphernalia
Communities Against Substance Abuse applaud parents that tell their children that drug use is dangerous and illegal. Unfortunately, San Diego County has about 90 retail stores that specialize in drug paraphernalia that sends a different message to children, 15 of which are concentrated in El Cajon. Advertised as “smoke shops,” most of these stores don’t even sell tobacco. These stores are really drug paraphernalia shops.

Many residents are concerned about retailers in the community that normalize drug use. By doing business in our neighborhoods, these stores send a different and dangerous message of community approval. These stores peddle drug culture and use to our children by selling these items with impunity.

Know what’s behind a smoke shop…
The stores claim their products are for tobacco, yet most of the products they sell are described under California Health & Safety Code 11014.5 as drug paraphernalia. Penalties for retail sales of paraphernalia are misdemeanors California Health and Safety Code HSC Section 11364.7, even though these goods have only one purpose.

Products designed for drug use

Along with pipes designed to look like Magic Markers, they sell scales and baggies.
Some sell chemicals to mask the presence of drugs so users can pass a drug screening.
Some even sell synthetic urine, knives and pornography.
These shops normalize drug use and bring it into the mainstream.

Be the voice for change, steps to take…

If you are concerned and want these laws enforced in your community, take action:

Go inside and see what you think they are selling—decide for yourself.
Ask us to go with you. Contact Dana Stevens.
Share your concerns with neighbors & other residents.
Let law enforcement know that they have your support to stop drug paraphernalia sales.
Ask your elected officials to do everything in their power to help stop the sale of drug paraphernalia in our community.

For additional information please download the following Who is in Prison for Marijuana, Marijuana- A Serious Health Concern for You and Your Family, and Guidelines for Marijuana for Medical Use.