ADAI News

Use of "Molly" Raising Concerns in King County

“Molly” is a slang term for a drug that may be sold as “Ecstasy”/MDMA or a similar related drug chemically known as methylone. It may be in a tablet form or a powder.  Methylone is a synthetic drug related to the Khat plant from east Africa.  This class of drugs (MDMA and Methylone) are both stimulants and psychedelics that users report create a “warm” pro-social feel.

However, no matter what a drug is sold as or what it looks like, the user does not know what they are taking.  They do not know how strong it is and they don’t know how their body is going to react to it.  Serious, negative short terms health effects have been reported.

In 2012 there were 81 drugs sent to the crime lab from King County based law enforcement that tested positive for synthetic stimulant/psychedelics of which  26 were BZP (a product put in bogus MDMA), followed by 22 MDMA, and 9 other compounds.

The public needs to be aware that in Washington state there is legal immunity from drug possession charges and minor in possession of alcohol for those who have an overdose and bystanders who seek medical aid; more information is at www.stopoverdose.org.

 



Washington Approves Proposed Rules to Implement I-502

The Washington State Liquor Control Board today approved the filing of proposed supplemental rules that, if ultimately enacted, will help govern Washington State’s system of producing, processing and retailing recreational marijuana. The Board first proposed rules on July 3, 2013, then chose to revise and re-file them after receiving public input at five public hearings across Washington.  A key component of implementation is that the recreational market would be tightly regulated to prevent diversion of marijuana to minors, and reduce any impact of adolecent use.

“These rules fulfill the public expectation of creating a tightly-regulated and controlled system while providing reasonable access to participation in the market, said WSLCB Board Chair Sharon Foster. “Importantly, we believe these rules meet the eight federal government enforcement priorities within Thursday’s guidance memo from the Department of Justice.”

Key Public Safety Elements

Public safety is the top priority of the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

• All grows must meet strictly controlled on-site security requirements;
• Strict surveillance and transportation requirements;
• Robust traceability software system that will track inventory from start to sale;
• Criminal background checks on all license applicants;
• Tough penalty guidelines for public safety violations including loss of license;
• Restricting certain advertising that may be targeted at children.

Key Consumer Safety Elements

The proposed rules provide a heightened level of consumer safety that has not existed previously.

• Packaging and label requirements including dosage and warnings;
• Only lab tested and approved products will be available;
• Defined serving sizes and package limits on marijuana in solid form;
• Store signage requirements to educate customers.

 

Feds Will Not Challenge WA and CO Marijuana Laws

This morning, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder informed the governors of Washington and Colorado that the Department of Justice would not interfere with the states' implementation of ballot initiatives legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in a memo sent to U.S. attorneys across the country, described the decision as part of an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy, which will now focus on eight specific concerns, including preventing the use of marijuana by minors and making sure legal marijuana products in Washington and Colorado do not travel across state lines.

The DOJ plans to rely on local law enforcement agencies to enforce their own marijuana laws, but reserves the right to "aggressively" step in if they feel the states are not adopting effective regulatory schemes. 

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee held a news conference earlier today to discuss the change in policy, and cautioned that there are still some unanswered questions, including concerns about differing regulations for the state's medical marijuana system, and whether interstate banks will be willing to work with state marijuana businesses given the fact the federal government still considers pot illegal.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board, charged with writing and implementing the state's marijuana regulations, responded with a statement thanking the Obama administration and particularly Mr. Holder and the Dept. of Justice for its guidance today.

For more information:

Feds won't challenge Washington's pot law (Seattle Times)

Eric Holder Says DOJ Will Let Washington, Colorado Marijuana Laws Go into Effect (Huffington Post)

U.S. Department of Justice memo to U.S. Attorneys

 

International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31

Saturday, August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, observed each year to recognize victims of overdose. In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation supporting the observance of the day, noting that most overdoses can be prevented and reversed before they become fatal.  The governor lauds the effectiveness of the Overdose Prevention and Response Law in saving lives.

A brief report about opioid overdose in Washington State can be found at http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/infobriefs/ADAI-IB-2013-02.pdf

More information about overdose prevention efforts in Washington state is available on the StopOverdose.org website.

Video Tells Story of The Healing of the Canoe

The Healing of the Canoe Project is a collaborative project between the Suquamish Tribe, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI), University of Washington. The project team used the Community-Based/Tribally-Based Participatory Research (CBPR/TPR) model to work in partnership to plan, implement and evaluate culturally grounded interventions to reduce health disparities and promote health with both tribes. Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam identified youth substance abuse and the need for a sense of cultural belonging and cultural revitalization among youth as primary issues of community concern.

The Healing of the Canoe partnership seeks to address these issues through a culturally grounded prevention and intervention life skills curriculum for youth that builds on the strengths and resources.

WATCH:

 

Heroin Use Spikes in Young Adults in Washington State

Heroin use is up across Washington State — particularly among 18- to 30-year-olds — as prescription-opioid use declines, according to a report from the University of Washington. The report Heroin Trends Across Washington State was released by Caleb Banta-Green from the UW's Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute.

The report received extensive coverage in the Northwest and in national media: 

Seattle Times: Heroin use spikes in young adults, UW report says

The Oregonian: Washington heroin use, deaths increase, especially among young people

The Olympian: State’s heroin problem growing, study shows.

Yakima Herald:  Opioids figure in 18 deaths in Yakima County last year

US News & World Report: Study: Heroin Abuse Increase May Be Due to Prescription Painkiller Crackdown

The Partnership at Drugfree.org:  Heroin use on the rise in Washington State

KUOW Radio: extended interview about heroin trends; also discussed infectious disease/syringe exchange and primary prevention.  Listen 

KPLU Radio: Listen

KOMO TV: Watch 

Read the full report. 

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – Saturday, April 27

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  This event is an opportunity to dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired prescription medications at participating locations as an effort to prevent prescription drug diversion and abuse. Anyone can anonymously return any unused prescription pills at a Take-Back site for free.

Click here to find a collection site in your community.  

Marijuana Legalization in Washington - Recent News Items

Marijuana Legalization: Are There Alternatives to State - Federal Conflict? (video) Brookings Institute Panel Discussion

Marijuana Policy and Presidential Leadership: How to Avoid a Federal-State Train Wreck by Stuart Taylor, The Brookings Institute)

"With Austin Jenkins on Cannabis in Washington"  (video) Inside Olympia (TVW)

Defining a "serving" of cannabis. Mark Kleiman, Reality-Based Community

Psychomotor function in chronic daily cannabis smokers during sustained abstinence. PLOS One

Pot Is Legal in Washington: Q&A [with Mark Kleiman] Time Magazine

Medical question mark arises for state’s pot market. Yakima Herald Republic

Marijuana: Science-Based Information for the Public

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute launched the website "Marijuana: Science-Based Information for the Public" in 2011 to provide current and science-based information about marijuana for the general public.  The site was updated with new resources after the passage of Initiative 502, which legalized adult use of marijuana in Washington state.  The updated site includes factsheets on the health and social aspects of marijuana, a section on law and policy, special sections for parents and teens, and describes University of Washington research and information activities about marijuana.

We will continue to expand the site with a special emphasis on knowledge focusing on the state of Washington. 

Visit http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/

Mark Kleiman Will Advise on Marijuana Policy in WA State

Mark Kleiman has been chosen to advise the Washington State Liquor Control Board on policies related to the legalization of marijauana, following passage of Initiative 502 in November. Dr. Kleiman is a Professor of Public Policy in the UCLA School of Public Affairs and a researcher, author and co-author of numerous articles and books on drug policy, including Marijuana Legalization: What Everone Needs to Know.  He also blogs for Huffington Post and The Reality Based Community, where he posted recently about his new role advising Washington State about marijuana.

More about and by Dr. Kleiman:

Meet Mark Kleiman..Washington's Pot Czar (The Daily Beast, March 21, 2013)

Kleiman Knows Ins and Outs of Pot Legalization (Seattle Times, March 19, 2013)

Why We Need to Solve Our Alcohol Problem to Solve Our Crime Problem (Washington Post's Wonkblog, March 28, 2013)

WSLCB Names BOTEC Marijuana Consultant

We'll continue to post items here about Washington's marijuana law and related news. More information can be found on our website Marijuana: Science-Based Information for the Public  and the Information Brief Marijuana Legalization in Washington State.