Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers
The Board of Directors of the Buckeye State Sheriff Association announced its opposition to the proposed Constitutional amendment that would legalize the use of marijuana and allow a limited number of grow operations within the State of Ohio. The Board of Directors felt strongly that the legalization of marijuana will cause more issues for our youth and law enforcement. The Association remains committed to the youth of our state by supporting the D.A.R.E. Program and SRO Officers. As Sheriff, being the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the County, it is our belief that Ohio’s businesses need to offer a safe work environment while remaining competitive in the work force. Society is not immune to the social ills that follow destructive behavior.
Part of Law Enforcement’s issues is the threat of the target to young people.
Marijuana edibles and marijuana-infused beverages will be sold. These products contain higher THC (the high of cannabis) in other legalized states, which is causing more dangerous consequences such as children poisonings, adverse health effects, etc.
Up to 70% THC.,
More potent than smoking marijuana (12% THC)
THC levels are inconsistent, even with packaging
March 9, 2014 Denver Post – testing showed that labels didn’t match actual THC level
“Claude” the THC infused Black Cherry Gummy Bear has 100 mg of THC PER BEAR. Colorado law is only to have 10mg per serving. So “Claude’s” foot alone would be one serving!
Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. 1
28% of driver fatalities and more than 11% of the general driver population tested positive for non-alcohol drugs, with marijuana being the most commonly detected substance. 2
Things you did NOT know about Colorado:
In 2014, nearly 40%, equivalent to 53 tons of the marijuana sold in Colorado was via the black market. 3
The number of pets poisoned from ingesting marijuana has increased four-fold in the past six years.
THC potency has risen from an average of 3.96% in 1995 to an average of 12.33% in 2013
The average for Colorado marijuana-related exposures per year increased 89% from 2006-2009 to 2010-2013. This compares to a 32% increase nationally4
Marijuana continues to be the most commonly detected illicit drug of workforce urine drug tests.5
Sheriffs’ natural concerns regarding legalization of marijuana are the effect on Law Enforcement. The effect on YOUTH is a concern for Sheriffs and Deputies and should also be a concern of yours!
1 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drug Involvement of Fatally injured Drivers. November 2010. U.S. Department of Transportation Report No. DOT HS 811 415. www.nhtsa.gov
2 ibid
3ibid
4 American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPC), Annual Reports, Accessed June 2014
5 “Workforce Drug Test Positivity Rate Increases for the First Time in 10 Years, Driven by Marijuana and Amphetamines, Finds Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing IndexTM Analysis of Employment Drug Tests”, Quest Diagnostics, September 11, 2014
