WHEREAS, the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that, on an average day during 2007, there were 3,695 adolescents aged 12 to 17 that used marijuana for the first time; and

WHEREAS, the NSDUH indicates that, on an average day during 2007, there were 563,182 adolescents aged 12 to 17 that used marijuana; and

WHEREAS, the NSDUH indicates that, on an average day during 2007, there were 263 adolescent admissions to treatment that presented with marijuana as the primary substance of abuse; and

WHEREAS, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) reports that according to the 2006-2007 State Estimates of Substance Use, all five top states, and ten of the fifteen states with the highest percentage of past month marijuana users ages (12-17), are states with medical marijuana programs; and

WHEREAS, CADCA further reports that medical marijuana states now occupy all four top states, and eight of the top thirteen states with the highest rates for new marijuana initiates ages (12-17); and

WHEREAS, CADCA further reports that medical marijuana states rank as thirteen of the lowest twenty states for the perception of risk for smoking marijuana once a month ages (12-17); and

WHEREAS, CADCA further reports that research illustrates that the decline in the use of any illegal drug is directly related to its perception of harm or risk and social disapproval by the user; and

WHEREAS, CADCA further reports that research demonstrates that softening attitudes generally precede an increase in drug use rates by approximately two years; and

WHEREAS, CADCA further reports that according to the 2009 National PRIDE Survey data, there was an increase for all grades (6-12) in past 30-day use of marijuana; and

WHEREAS, the White House National Drug Control Strategy 2009 Annual Report (NDCS), relying upon the NSDUH, indicates that the risk of marijuana abuse or dependency for those aged 12 to 17 now exceeds that for alcohol, and tobacco; and

WHEREAS, the NDCS also states that recent studies suggest early marijuana use increases the risk of abuse or dependency on other drugs such as heroin and cocaine later in life;now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 117th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, recognizing the alarming rise in teen marijuana use in those states that have legalized medical marijuana reaffirms its continuing, strong opposition to the legalization by the states of marijuana cultivation, dispensation, and use for so-called medicinal purposes.