It's Time to Debunk the Marijuana Myth

Fernando Kaskais

Jan 1

Craig F Scott/Shutterstock

There are some common-sense limitations we need to put on the industry.

Recreational and medical marijuana are legal in 38 states. Several more states will likely vote on legalization in 2024. Political pressure to approve legalization is high, fueled by public polling and lobbying from cannabis growers, distributors, and users. Unfortunately, much of that lobbying message is based on distorted and false information, including the pipe dream that tax revenue will be a windfall for states. Here are some of the false arguments used to sway legislators opinion:

FALSE: Cannabis Is Not a Gateway Drug

Not all users of cannabis progress to a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), but many with a SUD began with cannabis. Cannabis increases the vulnerability for SUD, in part because it decreases dopamine reward centers in the brain, and THC enhances the effect of other drugs. The risk has swelled as THC content has increased since the 1960s from 5 percent THC in Woodstock weed to potency of up to 90 percent in some products. This "no risk" argument is reminiscent of the marketing of OxyContin. Claims that it was not addictive contributed to rampant overprescribing and hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths.

FALSE: Legalization of Marijuana Decreases Drug Overdose Deaths and Opioid Misuse

Some early studies reported an initial reduction in opioid use, leading to a plethora of billboard ads sponsored by cannabis companies. However, Stanford University research called these claims "spurious" and noted opioid use did not decrease. Another study found the use of non-medical opioids doubles on days when cannabis is used.

FALSE: Teen Use of Marijuana Decreased After It was Legalized

Abuse and misuse of marijuana has increased 245 percent from 2002 to 2022 and now impacts one in five youth. The percentage of youth who start using marijuana doubled between 2002 and 2020. Only 34 percent of teens (age 12-18) perceive risk of harm from marijuana. Teen use is associated with poor grades, truancy, and criminal behaviors. Some cannabis marketing is designed to appeal to children and teens, using young models, cartoon characters, and promotions — even though the drug is illegal.

FALSE: Cannabis Is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Nausea in Pregnant Women

An increasing number of women have begun using marijuana to fight nausea and other side effects during pregnancy, according to the New York Times. However, marijuana use during pregnancy is linked with an increased risk for low birth weight and reduced cognitive development in the child. Recommending its use during pregnancy recalls the days when smoking was targeted at women, and tobacco companies encouraged cigarettes to calm pregnant mothers' nerves. Despite a clear risk to the developing fetus, almost 70 percent of Colorado cannabis stores recommended its use to mothers in their first trimester. An average of 20 percent of women from Colorado and California tested positive for marijuana at delivery. Such recommendations are tantamount to medical malpractice.

FALSE: Cannabis Is Good for Mental Health, Such as Reducing Depression and Anxiety

This claim is déjà vu for tobacco companies that dismissed the risk of cancer posed by smoking.

Depression increases among regular cannabis users and is a common side effect of Cannabis Use Disorder. Among teens, depression and suicide can quadruple. Psychosis risk is very high for use of just twice per week through ages 12-25 as the developing brain is very vulnerable. Cannabis advocates claim this risk only applies to those who were already predisposed to schizophrenia, but multiple studies note regular users are five times more likely to develop psychosis, 35 percent of those with cannabis-induced psychosis develop schizophrenia (a rate three times higher than for alcohol, and higher than methamphetamines). The age of onset is earlier, and cannabis use is associated with more severe symptoms, violence, and longer hospitalizations.

False: Marijuana Taxes Are Good for State Income

Cannabis adds significant expense to state and local governments in the form of auto accidents, emergency first responders, drug rehabilitation, remedial education, lost tax revenue from lower employment, medical care in the ER, long-term mental health care, increased health insurance, and more. Those with schizophrenia/psychosis have a much higher risk of unemployment, disability, incarceration, and chronic disease. A study by the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance reported schizophrenia alone costs over $450 billion per year in the U.S. for over 2 million cases. Increasing the number of cases in the USA by only 1 percent costs an additional $4.5 billion. States hope decriminalizing marijuana will reduce incarceration costs, however, the expenses listed above are for those who are not incarcerated. Those costs are growing significantly. Total state tax revenue from marijuana is currently only $3 billion with an anticipated rise to $8.5 billion if all states legalized marijuana. The ratio of revenue to cost is so unbalanced and it is highly misleading to portray marijuana as a cash cow for states. Currently, the federal government does not tax marijuana but pays heavily for its impact...

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