The Berrien County Health Department is seeking a grant from the state to fund its marijuana education campaign.
Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us the Medical Marihuana Operation and Oversight Grant Program has been awarding funds to the county each year since 2019.
“Since 2019, we’ve been working with Van Buren and Cass counties as well on a project called the Dirt on Weed campaign,” Miller said. “You’ve probably seen billboards and social media advertisements around the county. This kind of tri-county campaign pools all these funds together and has worked through a digital marketing service.”
Miller says the campaign is targeted at youth and pregnant women. It also seeks to educate adults about the importance of keeping their marijuana products in a safe location. Miller says that’s because marijuana-related emergency room visits have been going up in recent years.
“In areas that have legalized marijuana across the United States, we’ve seen an increase in THC presentations to the emergency departments. So things like gummy bears or edibles that look like candy. Children might think that’s a gummy bear that’s safe to eat.”
So, Miller says the health department reminds parents to make sure their edibles are in a secure location.
The campaign produces social media messages that will reach young people, most recently including some TikTok videos.
The state awards the grants based on the number of medical marijuana card holders in each county, which in Berrien’s case is 408. Miller says the funding formula qualifies Berrien County for $47,027 from the Medical Marihuana Operation and Oversight Grant Program. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved the grant application at their most recent meeting.
You can learn more about the Dirt on Weed campaign right here.
