East Hartford is surveying residents about potential harm to young people from vaping and marijuana use.
The youth services department and local prevention council will use results of the survey to guide communication and education aimed at local children and young adults (ages 12-18), according to a news release. The 52-question anonymous survey is open to residents and people who work in town ages 18 and older. Responses will be collected through April 14.
The survey seeks answers and views on:
- whether more local youths perceive marijuana to be safe;
- how often kids and young adults use cannabis, when they use it (during school?) and at what age they start;
- whether pot use in town will increase or decrease now that it’s legal in the state;
- whether young people who use cannabis “are more academically disengaged” than non-users;
- whether marijuana is a gateway drug.
Legal sales of recreational marijuana to people age 21 and older in Connecticut started on Jan. 10. But some retailers have flouted the law, according to Attorney General William Tong, who announced last month he was suing five state retailers for targeting illegal sale of edible cannabis products to young people.
There are no recreational marijuana retail outlets in East Hartford. Leaders in other communities have worked to block local cannabis sales and prohibit use in some areas. In Fairfield, the local…