Fall is upon us, and with it back to school season! The One Chance team has many exciting things in the pipeline, and we wanted to take this chance to share some of our recent news and accomplishments.
One Chance to Grow Up is pleased to share our response to a recent Congressional Request for Information on today’s “CBD” products led by the bi-partisan and bi-cameral leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, Pensions.
This is an important and timely development, and we urged Congress to take immediate action to establish federal baseline product standards and safeguards, to minimize unacceptable risks and harms.
These products may contain high amounts of psychoactive THC (in all kinds of variant forms and compounds) and other added harmful chemicals–and yet, they are deceptively being sold as “hemp” or “CBD” in gas stations, convenience stores, and on-line, without age restrictions or adequate product disclosures and warnings.
In our response, we include the following recommendations, analysis and conclusions:
- The depth of the problem, and why addressing it should be a high national priority
- How the problem developed and the complexity of the issue
- Why it has been a challenge for states to tackle this issue on their own
- Recommendations on highly effective best practices and public health approaches that can inform and be utilized in establishing federal baseline standards (many we’ve helped to secure in Colorado, other states and local jurisdictions)
- Recommendations for the development of a separate regulatory pathway due to the complexities involved
- Recommendations on prohibiting conflicts of interest and for-profit industry influence in every step necessary in the establishing and enforcing of national product standards and youth safeguards, and why it matters
- Recommendations for federal baseline standards and youth safeguards that allow states the option of building additional protections
Due to the on-going support of so many, our work continues to inform Congress and national agencies in addition to the work we’ve done at the state and local levels.
Many members of Congress and their staff have expressed their appreciation that One Chance to Grow Up is there to answer important questions and provide evidence-based information, data, and resources.
Read entire response to the RFI here.
One Chance issued a media release on Colorado’s recent announcement of an audit of the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). One Chance Executive Director Henny Lasley was quoted in this article from Colorado Politics, as well as in the Denver Post and other media outlets.
“The audit highlights deeply concerning deficiencies in enforcement when it comes to preventing kids from buying marijuana directly from dispensaries across the state. We are pleased that the MED has identified and acknowledged these troubling gaps and agree with the recommendations.”
Henny Lasley
One Chance spokesperson Alton Dillard echoed One Chance’s concerns in this column from the Colorado Gazette, highlighting our focus on protecting kids amidst today’s chaotic marijuana market.
Talk to your kids about marijuana today!
From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
Parents can help their children learn about the harmful effects of marijuana use. Talking to your children about marijuana at an early age can help them make better choices and may prevent them from developing a problem with marijuana use later. Begin talking with your child in an honest and open way when they are in late elementary and early middle school. Youth are less likely to try marijuana if they can ask parents for help and know exactly how their parents feel about drug use.
Tips on discussing marijuana with your child:
- Ask what they have heard about using marijuana. Listen carefully, pay attention, and try not to interrupt. Avoid making negative or angry comments.
- Offer your child facts about the risks and consequences of smoking marijuana.
- Ask your child to give examples of the effects of marijuana. This will help you make sure that your child understands what you talked about.
- If you choose to talk to your child about your own experiences with drugs, be honest about why you used and the pressures that contributed to your use. Be careful not to minimize the dangers of marijuana or other drugs, and be open about any negative experiences you may have had. Given how much stronger marijuana is today, its effect on your child would likely be much different than what you experienced.
- Explain that research tells us that the brain continues to mature into the 20s. While it is developing, there is greater risk of harm from marijuana use.
Read more HERE.
Stay tuned for exciting updates in the next few weeks about One Chance’s upcoming bilingual educational campaign, our updated toolkits for 2023, and our fall speaking engagements and events!
Thanks,
Your One Chance team
