The growing popularity of marijuana and hemp-derived products has led to a
proliferation of new products worldwide including numerous states in the U.S.
Proliferation has subsequently led to the lack of clear regulations for hemp-derived
products as well as misrepresentation regarding THC content and associated possible
harms. This presentation will explore two major reports, one from Oregon and one from
California, that tracked marijuana and hemp trends and assessed cannabis regulation
and market integrity legalization, which included compliance, potency accuracy, and
pesticide contamination. Additionally, both reports exposed widespread
misrepresentation in hemp-derived products, including deceptive labeling, unverified
potency claims, and the sale of intoxicating items marketed as hemp which indicate an
urgent need for better regulatory control and additional caution and education regarding
the consumption of marijuana and hemp-derived products.
Sessions
Tracking the Trends: Looking at Years of Marijuana and Hemp Oversight in Oregon and California
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Speakers
Pharmacology & Toxicology of Impaired Driving: From Theory to Practice
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This interdisciplinary session equips law enforcement officers, school administrators, and scientists with a scientific and practical foundation on substances most often implicated in impaired driving. It covers alcohol and both traditional and emerging cannabinoids, focusing on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, formulations, and real-world driving impact. Participants will learn to assess current data and understand detection limitations, public trends, and toxicological challenges. Through evidence-based instruction and case analysis, this session enhances enforcement, institutional safety, and research-informed decision-making.
Who Should Attend:
- Law enforcement practitioners, including those involved with ARIDE and DRE programs, seeking deeper understanding of drug-related impairment and enforcement strategies
- School and institutional administrators responsible for safety policy, substance use interventions, and response planning
- Scientists, forensic toxicologists, and researchers engaged in impaired driving investigations, testing development, or policy evaluation
Key Features:
- Case study–driven and interdisciplinary format, blending pharmacology, policy, behavioral science, and field applications
- Focus on emerging substances and poly-use trends, including novel cannabinoids
- Discussion on analytical challenges, detection limits, and forensic reporting in biological sampling
- Actionable outcomes tailored to enhance enforcement efficacy, toxicological interpretation, and institutional safety strategies
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define basic pharmacology and toxicology principles applicable to alcohol and drugs commonly seen in impaired-driving cases.
- Discuss detection and prevalence trends for alcohol and both traditional and emerging cannabinoids.
- Critically appraise current scientific data on substance effects on driving, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and formulation differences.
- Describe the common challenges faced by the public (e.g. new products, user behavior) and professionals (e.g. toxicologists, enforcement) in identifying impairment from biological evidence.
Speakers
How Social Media and Vaping Drive a New Era of Teen Drug Use
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In today’s world, social media isn’t just shaping teen culture—it’s fueling a dangerous shift in youth drug trends. This session dives deep into how platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram have become virtual marketplaces for nicotine, marijuana, counterfeit pills, and other substances, often hidden in plain sight. We’ll examine the latest social media trends that glamorize risky behavior, from viral vape tricks to drug-themed challenges, and how these trends normalize use while lowering perceived risk.
We’ll also address the growing crisis of sextortion—where predators use social media to exploit teens for explicit content or money—and its alarming connection to substance abuse, mental health struggles, and overdose cases.
Drawing from real-world law enforcement cases, school incidents, and prevention efforts, this session will equip educators, parents, and professionals with the tools to recognize warning signs, understand the digital drug economy, and take proactive steps to protect today’s youth from both online exploitation and drug harm.
