The school superintendents in Calaveras County have come together to share with the public
our concerns for the youth of Calaveras County related to marijuana cultivation and
accessibility.

We believe it’s important for voters to have as much information as possible in order to make
the best decisions for our students and for our community.
County schools will host two educational sessions on the effects of marijuana on the adolescent
brain, presented by Health Officer Dr. Dean Kelaita, 6-7pm, Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Bret
Harte High School Theater and 6-7pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Calaveras High
School Theater. Please join us.
Marijuana use has been shown to have measurable negative effects on the developing brain. A
growing number of scientists have concluded that delaying onset of marijuana use by
adolescents is critical to protecting our young people’s health.
A white paper produced by Ventura County Behavioral Health includes a great deal of research
in this area. The article is titled “What the Science Says About Adolescent Use of Cannabis” by
Linda Gertson, Ph.D. The full article, and all citations, can be accessed via the Calaveras
County Office of Education website, ccoe.k12.ca.us.
A national survey done in 2015 found that more than 47% of Americans aged 12 and older have
used cannabis during their lifetime, more than any other illicit drug use. Locally, the Fall 2015
California Healthy Kids Survey indicated that 8% of 9th graders and 22% of 11th graders had
used marijuana in the past 30 days. Fifty-five percent of 9th graders and 75% of 11th graders
considered marijuana “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain.
Research has shown that how young people are when they start using marijuana is a strong
predictor of whether they will have a future substance use disorder. Kids who use marijuana
during adolescence are 2 to 4 times more likely to have symptoms of dependence in the first
two years.
Many scientific studies have shown a relationship between early use of marijuana and negative
effects on mental ability and educational achievement. A relationship has also been established
for several psychiatric conditions, particularly schizophrenia. The brain does not reach full
maturity until a young person reaches their early twenties, and many complex brain functions
are still developing during adolescence.
One study involving more than 6,000 people found that rates of educational attainment were
highest for those who had not used marijuana before age 18 and lowest for those who started
using before age 15. The authors suggested that early use of marijuana may negatively impact
a young person’s ability to obtain a high school diploma or move into higher education.
In a study assessing the effects of marijuana use on verbal learning and memory, even
adolescents with relatively brief exposure to marijuana demonstrated similar memory loss to
that reported in adult long-term heavy users. There was strong evidence of greater memory loss
the earlier marijuana use started.
The authors of several of the studies reviewed in the white paper emphasize the need for
prevention or delay of marijuana use in adolescence, and recommend efforts to ensure that
marijuana legislation consider the potentially adverse developmental effects of this drug.
Clearly, research has shown that it’s critically important to keep marijuana away from children
for as long as possible.
Supporters of California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) argue that the initiative protects
public health and safety generally, and potential risks to children and youth in particular.
A policy report called “The 2016 California Marijuana Initiative and Youth: Lessons from Alcohol
Policy” prepared by James F. Mosher, JD, also for Ventura County Behavioral Health, analyzed
the AUMA proposal and compared it to federal best practices developed as a regulatory
structure for preventing youth access to alcohol. The full article, and all citations, can be
accessed via the Calaveras County Office of Education website, ccoe.k12.ca.us.
When voting, we urge Calaveras voters to fully consider its impact on our children.
Kathy Northington, County Superintendent of Schools
Mark Campbell, Superintendent, Calaveras Unified School District
Michael Chimente, Superintendent, Bret Harte Union High School District
Don Ogden, Superintendent, Vallecito Union School District
Julia Tidball, Superintendent, Mark Twain Union Elementary School District