Proposition 1 with Commissioner Linde and Alicia Tobin

In this bonus episode, Safe Yakima Valley talks with Commissioner LaDon Linde and Executive Director Alicia Tobin about Proposition 1, the upcoming advisory vote on Yakima County’s cannabis ban. They discuss the financial, health, and safety impacts of lifting the ban, the rise of high-THC products, and the importance of prevention education to protect local youth and communities. To avoid the spread of misinformation, here are some key facts regarding the impacts of marijuana, particularly how it affects our youth: - Due to genetic modification using butane, CO2, and ethanol, some retail cannabis products have THC levels up to 99%; by comparison, without genetic modification, natural THC levels range from .5% to 6% - Nearly one-third of Delta-9 THC-positive drivers in fatal crashes in Washington State were between ages 16-25 (from 2019-2023) - Since 2019, 607 THC-positive drivers have died in Washington State with 23.6% testing positive for THC only and 38.1% testing positive for alcohol and THC - In 2022, 1.3 million youth aged 12 to 17 were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder nationally - 1 in 6 marijuana users who start before age 18 will develop a long-term substance use disorder - Since marijuana legalization, toddler poisonings from edibles have doubled - In 2023, in Colorado, THC was the most common substance found in toxicology reports from completed suicides among youth aged 10 to 24 - Despite promises, legalization hasn’t ended the black market in Washington State – it’s actually grown in recent years due to rising dispensary prices - Marijuana sales in Washington State have been declining for 5 years in a row indicating an already saturated market; meanwhile, the black market is growing - Studies indicate that for every $1 in tax revenue, we incur $4.50 in social costs due to DUI’s, treatment, increased hospitalizations, higher crime, etc. While this isn’t an all-inclusive list of risks, it highlights several ways increased access to high THC marijuana can negatively impact our youth. Safe Yakima coalitions have too many evidence-based prevention projects to list here. Please visit our website for more information about our work or feel free to contact our Executive Director directly. We are proud of the work we do and are happy to share it with community members.