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<br />(fl Increases in cannabis use frequency are associated with developing problem
<br />cannabis use.
<br />The NASEM study found less conclusive, but still worrisome, emerging evidence for a
<br />wide range of other harms, including impaired academic achievement and
<br />educational outcomes, development of substance use disorders, suicide completion,
<br />high blood pressure and increased unemployment, among others; and
<br />WHEREAS, the findings of the NASEM study and other research lead us to conclude that
<br />legalization of adult-use cannabis should be carried out cautiously, in such a way as to
<br />prevent undue exposure of youth and expansion of problem use; that unfettered
<br />expansion and diversification of products and of marketing are not prudent; and that,
<br />like tobacco and alcohol, cannabis use may pose significant risks to public health,
<br />especially when initiated early in life; and
<br />WHEREAS, Minnesota has recognized the danger of cannabis use among youth by
<br />prohibiting the sale of edibles to those under age 21(Minn. Stat. § 151.72, subd. 3(c)j
<br />and by requiring that edibles be packaged without appeal to children and in child-
<br />resistant containers (Minn. Stat. § 151.72, subd. 5a(b)); and
<br />WHEREAS, many years of alcohol and tobacco retailing, which are likely to have parallels
<br />in cannabis retailing, have demonstrated that Minnesota retailers continue to sell
<br />alcohol and tobacco to underage consumers, as evidenced by the following:
<br />� Among minors nationwide who smoked cigarettes in 2011, 1496 percent had
<br />obtained their own cigarettes by buying them in a store or gas station;2i and
<br />14.5% of minors nationwide who used alcohol in the past 30 days in 2012 had
<br />obtained the alcohol themselves in an alcohol retail outlet;22 and
<br />WHEREAS, the density of tobacco retailers, particularly in neighborhoods surrounding
<br />schools, has been associated with increased youth smoking rates;23 multiple studies
<br />have found that the density of tobacco retailers near schools was positively associated
<br />with the prevalence of students reporting smoking;24 and
<br />�l Centers for Disease Control and Prevenrion. Youth Risk Behavior Surveiflance - United States, 2011.; 2012:15.
<br />zz Roberts SP, Siegel MB, DeJong W, Naimi TS, Jernigan DH. The Relationships Between Alcohol Source, Autonomy in Brand
<br />Selection, and Brand Preference Among Youth in the USA.Alcahol Oxfs. 2014;49[5):563-571. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agu034.
<br />z3 Henriksen L, Feighery EC, Schleicher NC, Cowling DW, HIine RS, Fortmann SP. ls adolescent smoldng related to the density
<br />and proarimity of tobacco outleu and retail cigarette advertising near schools? Prev Med. 2008;47(2):210-214,
<br />doi:10.1016/j,ypmed.2008.04.008.
<br />z4 McCarthy W7, Mistry R, Lu Y, Patel M, Zheng H, Dietsch B. Density of tobacco retailers neaz schools: effects on tobacco use
<br />among students. Am JPublic Health. 2009;99(11):2006-2013. doi:1Q.2105/AJPH.2008.145128. I.ee G7L, Kong AY, Sewell KB,
<br />Golden SD, Combs TB, Ribisil KM, Henriksen L. Assocrations of Tobacco Retailer Density and Proximity with Adult Tobacco Use
<br />Behaviours and Health Outcames: A Meta Analysis. Tobacco Control. 2021. doi: 10.1136/tobaceocontrol-2021-056717.
<br />P: 651.290.7506 F: 651.290.7515 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul,
<br />W: www.PublicHealthLawCenter.org Minnesota 55105
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