“The Tea on THC” Campaign

We are excited to celebrate a groundbreaking new public health campaign that represents a significant milestone in our ongoing work to protect young people from the risks of today’s high-potency marijuana products. Last month, our team attended the launch of “The Tea on THC” campaign at the Colorado School of Public Health, an initiative that emerged, in part, from our organization’s tireless advocacy efforts and research.

Identifying Critical Vulnerabilities

Back in 2021, One Chance’s extensive data-driven research into Colorado’s decade of experience with commercialized marijuana uncovered several critical vulnerabilities in Colorado’s medical marijuana system. Most concerning was the practice of medical marijuana dispensaries legally selling to individuals aged 18-20—below the recreational market age limit of 21. After requesting the data from our state health department to track how young people were obtaining medical marijuana cards, One Chance discovered a clear pipeline of high-potency THC products flowing from medical dispensaries into schools. 

Our investigation revealed that high school seniors, upon turning 18, could easily obtain medical marijuana recommendation cards and purchase unlimited quantities of THC products, which were then being diverted into our high schools to students of all ages. This system was facilitated by loose regulations and a lack of strict guidelines for physicians issuing medical marijuana cards. What’s more, the products being sold were essentially identical to those in the recreational market—including highly concentrated THC products in the form of edibles, vaporizers, and concentrates.

Legislative Impact and Research Initiatives

Our advocacy efforts culminated in the passage of Colorado House Bill 21-1317, which passed with nearly unanimous support. This piece of legislation has already demonstrated significant success in protecting young people from high-potency marijuana products. The bill’s key provisions placed caps on daily purchase amounts of marijuana concentrate for individuals aged 18-20, and implemented stricter guidelines for physicians issuing medical marijuana cards. The impact has been dramatic—we’ve seen a 70% reduction in medical marijuana cards among this age group.

Significantly, the legislation also allocated crucial resources to the Colorado School of Public Health to conduct comprehensive research into the mental and physical impacts of high-concentration marijuana products, culminating in the publication of a 2023 report summarizing their findings. The report focused particularly on the effects of THC on young people, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions.

The bill also tasked the CSPH with producing “a public education campaign for the general public regarding the effect of high-potency marijuana on the developing brain and on physical and mental health.”

Campaign Features and Innovation

As a result, “The Tea on THC” is the first national campaign to specifically address the risks of high-concentration THC products. The initiative takes a comprehensive look at how today’s potent marijuana products affect both mental and physical health, with particular attention to their impact on young people and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

A crucial campaign message is that modern marijuana products bear little resemblance to the cannabis of decades past. Today’s commercial marijuana industry produces highly concentrated forms of THC through distillation processes, creating products far more potent than what many adults might remember from their youth. The campaign website, TeaonTHC.org, serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding these issues, offering fact-based messaging about mental health concerns, including the risks of psychosis and addiction.

Educational Approach and Resources

The campaign takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that goes beyond simply telling young people to “just say no.” It provides practical, motivational tools to help adults have meaningful conversations about marijuana use with young people, while offering alternative strategies for managing stress and anxiety—common issues that might drive young people to seek relief through marijuana use.

Additionally, the campaign includes resources for developing refusal skills and healthy coping mechanisms, empowering young people to make informed decisions about their health while offering practical strategies for maintaining those decisions in real-world situations.

Distribution Strategy and Call to Action

The campaign launched with a well-attended press conference on December 17th at the Colorado School of Public Health, drawing significant media coverage and community leaders. Moving forward, we need your help to amplify this crucial message through social media sharing and networking. Throughout January, the campaign will release numerous informational clips and resources, providing opportunities for you to help expand its reach.

While currently funded through Colorado resources, there are exciting possibilities for expansion through partnerships with other states. The campaign has already attracted national attention, with Initium Health recently presenting it at Harvard, demonstrating its potential for broader impact.

The Power of Parent Involvement

Research has shown that parental involvement creates one of the strongest protective factors against youth substance use—young people with a trusted adult in their life are 70% less likely to use substances. This powerful statistic underscores why parent education and engagement are also central to the campaign.

The campaign provides resources to help you initiate and navigate important discussions about today’s high-potency THC products with your children. Understanding that the human brain continues developing until approximately age 25-30, your involvement can help young people understand why their brains deserve time to grow and mature naturally, before being exposed to powerful psychoactive agents like THC.

A Call to Action: Protecting the Next Generation

As we all turn our sights onto 2025, it’s important to note the launch of “The Tea on THC” campaign as a crucial milestone in our ongoing mission to protect young people from the risks of today’s high-potency marijuana products. Through the combination of solid research, effective legislation, and now this comprehensive education campaign, we’re making significant progress in addressing the challenges posed by modern marijuana commercialization. But our success continues to depend on support from people like you.

We urge you to become an active participant in this vital initiative. Visit TeaonTHC.org today to explore the resources available, follow the campaign on social media, and share its content with your networks. Whether you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or concerned citizen, you have a crucial role to play in protecting young people from the risks of high-potency marijuana products. Together, we can ensure that accurate, science-based information reaches the families and communities who need it most, helping young people make informed decisions about their health and future.


By Henny Lasley, Executive Director of One Chance to Grow Up