Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Free webinar: Secure medicine take-back: Local solutions through extended producer responsibility laws

The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is hosting a free webinar:
Secure Medicine Take-Back: Local Solutions Through Extended Producer Responsibility Laws
Tuesday, December 2, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.


Medicine return programs are part of a multi-pronged approach to preventing youth prescription and over-the-counter medicine abuse.  

In this webinar, CPSC brings together key local government officials and experts to share their experiences on how they passed local producer responsibility ordinances for pharmaceuticals, including King County's. This webinar will educate and provide tools to any advocate or government official interested in learning how producers and others in the product chain can share in the cost and responsibility for managing their products at end of life and the role of government in oversight of producer run programs. 

Webinar Agenda

9:00 Welcome – Lynn France, CPSC Board Chair

9:05 What is Producer Responsibility for Medicine Collection? - David Stitzal, Full Circle Environmental

9:10 Why EPR is a Policy to Consider for Safe Medicine Disposal? – Heidi Sanborn

9:15 Status of Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Challenge to Alameda County Ordinance – Kathleen Pacheco, Senior Deputy County Counsel, Alameda County

9:20 Alameda County, CA Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance - Bill Pollock, Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program Manager

9:30 King County, WA Secure Medicine Return Ordinance – Margaret Shield, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

9:40 City/Co of San Francisco, CA Safe Drug Disposal Stewardship Ordinance Development - Maggie Johnson, San Francisco Department of the Environment

9:45 Other Local Options and Tools for Increasing Safe Medicine Disposal – Heidi

9:50 Questions and Answers

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Marijuana edibles in WA


The Liquor Control Board (LCB) recently proposed new rules to govern what types of marijuana-infused foods they will allow to be made (processed) and sold as part of Washington’s recreational marijuana system.  The LCB does not regulate the medical marijuana market so these rules only apply to the recreational (I-502) market. 


To learn more about medical and recreational marijuana-infused foods, watch the story KCTS recently broadcast about these growing markets.

Preventing teen marijuana use: What works

What programs are most effective for preventing teen marijuana use?  That question is being studied by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) which recently released an updated review of scientific evidence about prevention programs.  They reviewed 23 youth marijuana prevention and treatment programs  and categorized them as "evidence-based", "research-based", or "promising."  

The top ten prevention programs identified by WSIPP are:

  1. Life Skills Training
  2. Communities That Care
  3. Project STAR
  4. Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence
  5. SPORT
  6. Keepin’ it REAL
  7. Strengthening Families for Parents and Youth 10-14
  8. Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care
  9. Case management in schools
  10. Project Northland
Detailed information about these programs may be found on the National Registry for Evidence-based Programs and Practices website.  

While WASAVP advocates for the funding of these programs, the WSIPP list does not include policies proven to reduce youth access to drugs which is the focus of most of WASAVP's work.  The Guide to Community Preventive Services is the place to start to gain an understanding of public policies that prevent youth alcohol and tobacco use.  Among effective policies are those that limit the density of retailers that sell alcohol and tobacco, the enforcement of minor in possession laws, and taxes.  

Local marijuana ordinances in WA

In the past, WASAVP's online marijuana policy toolkit included a list of local ordinances adopted across Washington regarding recreational marijuana businesses.  Since the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) collects identical information, WASAVP now refers youth substance use prevention advocates to the MRSC website.

The website includes a map showing jurisdictions that have adopted zoning ordinances, moratoriums, and bans on marijuana businesses with links to policy documents.

The website also includes information about lawsuits against cities that ban marijuana businesses, law enforcement, and marijuana tax revenue.