Cannabis prevention policy

Cannabis, which is sometimes called marijuana, weed, or pot, refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of cannabis plants. Cannabis plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is mind-altering and can give cannabis users a feeling of “being high.”

California voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016. This legalized recreational cannabis use for adults 21 and older within the state. After legalization, cannabis use among adults increased. Youth cannabis use also increased at an alarming rate. According to research, cannabis can harm people who use or are exposed to it, especially youth.

What is happening with cannabis in Santa Clara County?

One in five of high school students said they have “ever used” cannabis.
One in ten high school students reported using cannabis products in the last 30 days.
Cannabis use is highest among students who identify their race as White, Latino/x, or Other, and among those in 12th grade.
The primary way youth used cannabis was smoking (43 percent) or vaping (40 percent).
2 out of 5 youth who vaped cannabis used flavored products.
A large number of youths said they believe cannabis is less harmful than other substances like tobacco, nicotine vapes, and alcohol if used every day or some days.

Cannabis harms health

Current research shows cannabis is more harmful than perceived among youth. Cannabis use can harm the health of anyone who uses it or is exposed to it. Cannabis use can lead to dependency or addiction, or cannabis use disorder, particularly if used during youth or if used often. Cannabis use is very concerning for pregnant women and youth because it can hurt brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, effects of cannabis use include:

Increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Difficulty thinking and problem-solving.
Problems with memory and learning.
Reduced coordination.
Difficulty maintaining attention.
Problems with school and social life.

Synthetic cannabis products

The 2018 Farm Bill allowed for the sale of CBD (cannabidiol) and other hemp products. However, due to state and federal loopholes and legal uncertainty, synthetic cannabis products, sometimes referred to as intoxicating hemp, can be found at a variety of retailers, including smoke shops, convenience stores, liquor stores, gas stations, and vape shops. Synthetic cannabis is not regulated in the same way as cannabis sold in state-regulated dispensaries and is not subject to rigorous product testing. Their sale has grown into a $28 billion industry, which is almost as large as the legal cannabis industry.

Many harmful chemicals are used to develop synthetic cannabis.
Synthetic cannabis products vary in their psychoactive effects.
Some states have taken action to ban these products.
Synthetic cannabis products can be smoked, vaped, or consumed.

These products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use and can put users at serious health risk.

Youth and synthetic cannabis

There are several factors that make synthetic cannabis attractive to minors:

Synthetic cannabis edibles are often packed with bright colors, cartoon-like images, or other features.
Products are flavored like bubble gum and birthday cake to attract younger consumers.
Packaging may not be child resistant.
Products are sold outside of state-regulated dispensaries, at retailers where age restrictions may not be in place or enforced, making it easy for youth to purchase.
Products can easily be found online, with little or no age verification requirements.

Health risk of synthetic cannabis hemp products

Use of synthetic cannabis products by youth are increasing. A recent USC study found that over 11% of high school seniors used Delta-8-THC products, a type of synthetic cannabis in the last year. While more research is needed, these products have serious health risks, especially for young people:

Increased risk of psychosis, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety.
Impaired brain development, irreversible harm to developing brain.
Lung damage, including infections and lung scarring.
Cognitive problems with memory, focusing and multitasking.
Accidental use by children, sometimes leading to calls to poison control, emergency room visits, or hospitalization.
Poorer outcomes in school and social life.
Heart disease

Policy solutions

Public policy plays a key role in preventing underage cannabis use. In collaboration with the Behavioral Health Services Department and the California Department of Public Health, the Substance Use Prevention Policy Program is addressing underage cannabis use by working with community leaders to apply the following strategies:

Providing model policies to regulate synthetic cannabis products and to ensure these products are not accessible or marketed to youth.
Promoting policies that make it less likely for legal cannabis products to be accessible or marketed to youth.
Implementing community education, outreach, and media campaigns to raise awareness of how cannabis can harm health.

To learn more about the County’s efforts to address cannabis use, please email the Substance Use Prevention Policy Program at [email protected]

Healthy Communities Branch

1775 Story Road
Suite 120
San Jose, CA 95122
United States

Phone: (408) 793-2700 Fax: (408) 251-4014