Washington state youth pot use hasn't increased, study shows

Washington state youth pot use hasn't increased, study shows

SEATTLE (AP) — Analysis by a group of Washington state marijuana experts has found that youth use of pot and cannabis-abuse treatment did not increase after the state's legalization of marijuana for grown-ups.The Seattle Times reported Friday that under the state's legal-pot law, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy is required to conduct cost-benefit analyses of legalization on issues ranging from drugged-driving to prenatal use of marijuana.Adam Darnell, the state Legislature think tank's lead researcher, says there's not much evidence so far that legalization has caused changes.Darnell says researchers have, however, found that adults consumed more pot in parts of the state with higher per capita sales.The experts' report was released shortly after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions criticized implementation of legal pot in the state.

State tightens restrictions on how marijuana shops advertise

State tightens restrictions on how marijuana shops advertise

SEATTLE -- A new state law that just went into effect heavily restricts how marijuana shops advertise their products.State lawmakers worried that a lot of advertising for legal pot and pot shops has become too attractive for children.The new regulations mean no more pot leaves on signs or billboards for pot shops.

Nevada's on-again, off-again marijuana sales back on

Nevada's on-again, off-again marijuana sales back on

Nevada regulators reaffirmed their intentions Friday to issue licenses necessary for retailers to begin selling pot for recreational use on July 1 while complying with a court order in a lawsuit filed by alcohol wholesalers who want a piece of the pot distribution business.

Study links legalized marijuana with increase in car crash claims

Study links legalized marijuana with increase in car crash claims

DENVER -- A recent insurance study links increased car crash claims to legalized recreational marijuana.The Highway Loss Data Institute, a leading insurance research group, said in study results released Thursday that collision claims in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon went up 2.7 percent in the years since legal recreational marijuana sales began when compared with surrounding states.

Colorado's first drive-thru marijuana shop opens on 4/20

Colorado's first drive-thru marijuana shop opens on 4/20

PARACHUTE, Colo. -- The first drive-thru pot shop in the country is opening in Colorado, just in time for the annual "high holiday" of 4/20.The Tumbleweed Express Drive-Thru in Parachute, in the western part of the state, is holding its grand opening on Thursday.Owner Mark Smith, 58, was a pawn shop man.

Poll: Marijuana safer than opioids, but moms shouldn't use

Poll: Marijuana safer than opioids, but moms shouldn't use

DENVER -- Americans think it's safer to use marijuana than opioids to relieve pain, but they were less comfortable with children and pregnant women using pot to treat medical conditions, according to a new Yahoo/Marist poll released Monday.Two-thirds of the respondents in the telephone survey said opioid drugs such as Vicodin or OxyContin are "riskier" to use than pot, even when the pain pills are prescribed by a doctor.Only one in five said marijuana was riskier than opioids.

Canada introduces legislation to legalize marijuana

Canada introduces legislation to legalize marijuana

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government introduced legislation Thursday to let adults possess 30 grams of marijuana in public — a measure that would make Canada the largest developed country to end a nationwide prohibition on recreational marijuana.

Push to give out free lock boxes to marijuana users

Push to give out free lock boxes to marijuana users

Online they are everywhere -- marijuana lock boxes -- for sale in every shape and size. They are perfect for the parent who doesn’t want their kids to have access to their stash of marijuana products, including edibles.

Lawmakers push to allow medical marijuana in schools

Lawmakers push to allow medical marijuana in schools

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Meagan Holt sat in the front row of a committee hearing earlier this week holding her 4-year-old daughter Maddie in one arm and a syringe filled with cannabis oil in the other."Cannabis is what's kept her alive all this time," Holt said. "She isn't supposed to be here."Maddie was born blind, deaf and has many health complications from a rare terminal disease called Zellweger Syndrome.

New research shows teens aren’t using more marijuana since legalization

New research shows teens aren’t using more marijuana since legalization

SEATTLE – The annual Washington State Healthy Youth Survey shows marijuana use among teens has remained stagnant over the past 10 years, despite the legalization of marijuana.Social work researchers say it’s good news, but it doesn’t mean a parents’ job is done, as other trends emerge with the survey results.“The sky is not falling and that’s an encouraging thing,” said Kevin Haggerty, associate professor at University of Washington’s School of Social Work.